A decadent holiday masterpiece combining fudgy brownie, creamy chocolate cheesecake, and festive marzipan decorations – perfect for your Christmas celebrations.
As Christmas decorations begin to appear in streets and homes, bringing that magical holiday spirit, I wanted to create something special that captures the essence of the season.
This triple-layer dessert combines the richness of a dark chocolate brownie with two distinctive cheesecake layers – one studded with buttery macadamia nuts and another infused with premium dark chocolate.
Topped with a mirror-like chocolate glaze and handcrafted marzipan decorations, it’s a showstopping dessert that’s sure to become the centerpiece of your holiday table.
The foundation of this cake is an incredibly moist brownie made with dark couverture chocolate, providing an intense chocolate flavor that perfectly complements the lighter, creamy cheesecake layers.
The addition of macadamia nuts brings a delightful crunch and nutty dimension that elevates the entire dessert.
What makes this cake truly special is the careful layering process – each component is crafted to achieve the perfect balance of textures and flavors, from the dense brownie base to the silky-smooth chocolate glaze.
Melt dark couverture chocolate and unsalted butter using a double boiler method in a pot of boiling water.
Mix egg yolks, sugar, and salt.
Add cake flour and cocoa powder, then mix. Add lukewarm milk (around 40°C) and combine.
Make meringue by adding sugar to egg whites in three portions until stiff peaks form.
Fold in 1/3 of the meringue, then half of the remaining meringue. Finally, transfer everything to the bowl with remaining meringue and mix.
Pour into an oven pan and bake at 170°C for about 27 minutes. Cool in the refrigerator.
Making the Cheesecake:
Soak powdered gelatin in water for about 10 minutes.
Mix cream cheese until smooth, then add sugar and vanilla bean paste.
Heat the soaked gelatin in the microwave for about 15 seconds until dissolved, then mix into the cream cheese.
Fold in whipping cream (whipped to 50% consistency), then transfer half the mixture to another bowl.
Chop macadamia nuts, mix into one bowl, and pour into an 18cm silicone mold. Level the surface and freeze for about 20 minutes.
Make chocolate ganache, pour into the mold, level, and freeze for about 10 minutes.
Mix melted dark couverture chocolate into the remaining cheesecake batter and pour into the mold.
Cut the brownie into an 18cm circle, place it upside down in the mold, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for 3-4 hours. (Cut remaining brownie into small cubes for decoration)
Making the Chocolate Glaze:
Soak powdered gelatin in water for about 10 minutes.
Heat sugar, corn syrup, water, heavy cream, and cocoa powder in a pot over low heat.
Stir continuously until it comes to a boil, then remove from heat.
Add the soaked gelatin, mix well, and strain through a fine sieve.
Remove the frozen cheesecake from the mold and pour the chocolate glaze when it reaches about 32°C.
Making the Marzipan:
Sift almond powder and powdered sugar, then mix with water to form a dough.
Divide into three portions and color them white, red, and green.
Roll out and cut with shape cutters.
Pipe chocolate whipped cream on top of the cake and decorate with brownie cubes and marzipan shapes.
Notes
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