This Milky Way Cheesecake is made with Milky Way Midnight Dark Chocolate bars for an extra decadent cheesecake that tastes like it came straight from a bakery!
When I went back home to be with my parents for several days during Christmas, I realized that my apartment kitchen isn't nearly big enough. OK, so it could be much worse and I know I shouldn't complain, but I'm lacking counter space and it's not fun sharing the space I do have with someone else.
If I had a kitchen like my parents', I'd likely be cooking and baking non-stop. So, I decided to do a bunch of baking while I was visiting them. But then I made the cinnamon rolls and we were all on a sugar-high for a couple days and probably couldn't handle the Milky Way cheesecake I wanted to make.
So I made this when I got home with my brand new food processor. And now I don't care what size my kitchen is; this is easy and fun to make no matter what kind of space you're baking in!
👩🍳 How to make Milky Way cheesecake
Like most good cheesecakes, this Milky Way cheesecake starts with a chocolate cookie crust. But instead of just chocolate graham cracker crumbs and melted butter, you also add sugar and coffee. Insert evil laugh here.
These ingredients make for the perfect cheesecake crust!
Then comes the Milky Way cheesecake filling making. This is a pretty basic cheesecake recipe made in a 9-inch springform pan with cream cheese, eggs, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla and sweetened condensed milk.
But the fun part? Those chopped up Milky Way Midnight bars!
I think Milky Way Midnight Dark bars are one of the most underrated candy bars around. Everyone loves Milky Ways, right? But so many people just straight up ignore how much more delicious they are when made with dark chocolate!
I bought exactly how many bars I needed (5 total; 4 for the cheesecake filling and 1 for topping) and it was SO hard for me not to dig into this bowl before I added them to the cheesecake. Why the heck did I not buy an extra??
After I let my cheesecake bake for 45 minutes and then sit in the oven with the door slightly cracked for another hour, had a small crack in it. Normally this would make me sad, but I knew I'd be drizzling melted chocolate over the cheesecake and that the crack would be barely noticeable. In my opinion, that's one of the best parts about fully loaded cheesecakes! However, here's a guide for preventing cheesecake cracks... I'm pretty sure I beat my cream cheese for a bit too long.
OK, I need to be honest here. I used to HATE cheesecake. Then my sister made one with chocolate in it and I realized it was actually kind of good. Then I realized the peanut butter chocolate cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory is good too.
And then I decided I actually quite enjoy cheesecake. In any way, shape, or form. And yup, I especially enjoy Milky Way cheesecake.
What I'm trying to say is that if you know someone who doesn't like cheesecake, give them this cheesecake. It will be a nice little introductory course in learning to fall in love with cheesecake. And they will fall in love. They're absolutely crazy if they don't. I got many comments that this was even better than a Cheesecake Factory cheesecake and tasted absolutely professional.
I mean, you can SEE the sugar crystals in that chocolate crust!
But really, this Milk Way cheesecake is the perfect combination of cheesecake and chocolate, with a little caramel tucked in for good measure.
In my house, the cheesecake didn't last long and I only regret I didn't get to share it with more people. But to everyone in my life, don't worry because there will be more cheesecake. Because now, I love cheesecake! And I know how to make cheesecake!
And having a whole one in my refrigerator could prove to be quite dangerous. So, I'm gonna need some help around here.
Are you a cheesecake lover?
If you're looking for other delicious cheesecake treats, check out these Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Cups and these Frosted Animal Cracker Cheesecake Bars! I also really want to try this Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake from Nourishing Amy.
📖 Recipe
Milky Way Midnight Cheesecake
Ingredients
Chocolate Crust
- 18 chocolate graham cracker sheets (from about 2 sleeves)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon coffee grounds
- 1 stick unsalted butter melted
Cheesecake
- 16 oz. cream cheese softened
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 8 oz. sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups chopped Milky Way Midnight Bars (from 4 full-size bars), plus more for topping
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar
Instructions
Chocolate Crust
- Spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray and then cover in parchment paper.
- Place graham crackers in a food processor and process until fine crumbs are formed (if you don't have a food processor, you can simply put graham crackers in a bag and crush them with a mallet).
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs with sugar, coffee, and melted butter and stir until thoroughly combined. Press the crumbs firmly into the bottom of the pan.
Cheesecake
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, combine cream cheese and sugar and beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, keeping the mixer on low-speed and making sure the eggs are well-incorporated.
- Add condensed milk, heavy cream, vanilla, flour, and salt and mix until just combined.
- Stir Milky Way pieces into the batter and pour the batter in the pan.
- Bake for about 45 minutes until the cheesecake is turning light golden brown and should jiggle just slightly when you shake the pan.
- Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let the cheesecake sit in the oven for an hour. Remove to fridge and let chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
- Melt chocolate chips or chocolate bar in a double broiler or in the microwave. Once cheesecake is chilled, drizzle with melted chocolate and top with additional chopped Milky Way Midnight bars.
Chaya says
This is fabulous. Your photos are even better. This must be a winner with everyone.
C.Peb says
OMG! I'm moving home just to eat that cheesecake!!!
C.Peb says
Alyse thinks your web site is really cute!
Kirsten says
That looks amazing! I have no willpower so if I made it I'd polish it off in about 2 seconds. I hear you on the kitchen - my Beacon Hill kitchen is about 2x2
Quinn says
Your desserts always amaze me! This one looks absolutely sinful! If only I had a springform pan....
dawn says
sweet charlotte!
brandi says
this would be my nemesis! I Love Milky Ways. And cheesecake.
Julie Q says
Speechless.
Marie says
this looks wonderful, i'm gonna try it. i do have to say that this is very tempting, especially for those on the diet kick. But i always say uou should never deprive yourself!!! By the way i tried the caramel popcorn recipe you posted and it was delish. I love this blog and look forward to more great recipes.
Rose says
You had me at "crushed chocolate graham crackers."
Nicole (dishin') says
Heavenly is right! This looks amazing!
Megan says
I'm one of those freak cheesecake haters out there...but this looks like it just might win me over...I have to admit I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing....
Kristen says
seriously? SERIOUSLY? There are no words for that cheesecake.
Tracie@hollafoodzone says
As always, your post has induced salivating! I can identify with the tiny kitchen - every time I get into a recipe with more than 5 ingredients I curse my lack of counter space!
Kelly says
This sounds delicious!
CookiePie says
Milky Way cheesecake - are you KIDDING ME??? OMG I am drooling.
emrlds says
i don't like cheesecake and i want to jump into that one. no joke.
also, congrats on the food processor, i'd be equally excited. =)
two coast table says
susie this looks delicious and i don't even like cheesecake. great pictures too! (steven)
Katie says
um milky way midnights are my FAVORITE! this looks soo delicious, i'm so excited to make this!!!
Shannon says
oh my golly, this looks absolutely amazing!
Alyson says
I think this is the epitome of food porn. I've cut out sugar for a while, but WOW, I may dream of this :p
The Duo Dishes says
Your presentation is great! Looks like it came from a restaurant menu. Pure decadence.
Desiree says
Sues- the pics look fantastic! Also- where did you find the eagle brand milk?!?!
Kat says
WOW! This looks so incredibly good. I think I would forgo a meal and replace it with this. Also, congrats on your food processor. I bought my first one ( an 11 cup) last year and I absolutely love it. I wonder how I lived without it.
Kerstin says
Wow, this looks amazing! Wish I had a big piece right now!
Kevin says
That cheesecake looks so decadently good!
Vidya says
Oh my, after a long stay in Paris, a cheesecake like this is the last thing I need right now, but it looks amazing. I make cheesecakes with cornstarch instead of eggs though...that cuts down the cholesterol, right...? About the cracks, I never make a cheesecake without a water bath - I don't know what would happen if I did, but I never get cracks in my cheesecakes, which is good because I prefer leaving them unadorned. It takes about 2 minutes to prepare a water bath and it's worth it - if you're worried about the water getting into the springform pan, I usually leave the water bath on the floor of the oven and put the cake on a higher rack - the steam still circulates but there's no risk of a soggy crust.
Napoleon Suarez says
Oh my! I ate a milky way midnight for the first time and then I Googled it to see where it was hiding all of life. This is one of the results that I clicked on when I ran that query. I will seriosuly consider making this for Thanksgiving. The pictures are awesome by the way. Thanks for posting.
Wilhelmina Wessel says
I will be dreaming about this cheesecake!
Sarah says
I love this recipe! I may or may not have had a piece for breakfast with my coffee.