Description
A rich, spooky red velvet cheesecake layered with caramel and pecans, topped with a raspberry ‘vampire bite’ drizzle — perfect for Halloween.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups chocolate cookie crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup red gel food coloring
- ½ cup caramel sauce
- ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
- ½ cup raspberry or cherry preserves (warmed)
- 2 tbsp caramel sauce (optional, for layering)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
- Combine cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the pan and bake for 8 minutes. Let cool.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and mix until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla, cocoa powder, and food coloring until smooth.
- Pour half the batter into the crust. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle pecans.
- Top with the remaining batter and smooth the top.
- Bake for 55–65 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
- Turn off oven, crack the door, and let cheesecake rest for 1 hour.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, drizzle warm preserves on top to mimic “bite marks.” Add extra caramel and pecans if desired.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for a deep, dramatic red velvet color.
- Warming the preserves makes them easier to drizzle.
- Chilling overnight enhances flavor and texture.
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother filling.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 31 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: red velvet cheesecake, Halloween dessert, caramel pecan cheesecake, spooky cheesecake, vampire dessert