Instructions

To make the cheesecake:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Spray 8.5 inch springform pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Then wrap the springform pan in 2 layers of aluminum foil to make sure no water leaks in when you place it in water bath later.
2. First, mix softened cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract just to combine. Then, add slightly beaten eggs and mix on low speed just to combine, do not overmix it. Fold in sour cream. Finally, fold in melted chocolate. Pour in prepared springform pan and smooth the top.
3. Place springform pan in larger roasting pan and filled with hot water halfway through. Bake 40-50 minutes until the edges has set and the center is just barely jiggly, but firm to touch.
4. Lift springform pan from water bath and place it on the counter to cool at room temperature. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

To make the Chocolate Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease two 8.5 inch round cake pan, line the bottom with parchment paper, grease the paper an flour the pan.
2. In a bowl stir together dry ingredients: sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda and salt. Add eggs, milk, vanilla and oil and mix on medium speed for two minutes. Pour in boiling water and mix just to combine.
3. Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake 20-25 minutes, until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs attached. Cool the cake in the pans for 10-15 minutes, then invert on rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Frosting:

1. When the cakes are cooled, and the cheesecake has firmed, make the frosting.
2. Stir together melted butter and cocoa powder. Add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla and mix until smooth. If the frosting is too thick add additional tablespoon of milk at the time, and if it’s to thin add powdered sugar to reach spreading consistency.

To assemble the cake:

1. First place one cake layer onto serving plate and spread thin layer of frosting.
2. Remove the cheesecake from the fridge, remove the foil from springform pan, then remove the ring from springform pan. Run a thin metal spatula under the cheesecake to remove it from the bottom and transfer the cheesecake onto a serving plate (or simply invert he cheesecake onto cake layer and lift the bottom of the pan and peel off baking paper).
3. Top cheesecake with thin layer of frosting, too.
4. Place second chocolate cake layer. Spread remaining frosting on top and sides of the cake to cover completely.
5. Finally, garnish the sides with chocolate chips. Store the cake in the fridge.