Chocolate Orange Cheesecake

This is where it all started. Before the books, before the TV, before the millions of views across different platforms, this cheesecake was the recipe that changed everything. One simple, no-bake Chocolate Orange Cheesecake went viral, and from that moment on, my life as a recipe creator properly began.

Chocolate Orange Cheesecake

Some recipes are good. Some recipes are popular. And then there are the rare ones that quietly change the direction of your life.

This chocolate orange cheesecake is that recipe for me.

It was the first dish of mine to go properly viral, the one that reached far beyond friends, family, and a handful of followers, and landed in front of millions of people who had never cooked one of my recipes before. It was shared, saved, remade, commented on, and talked about in a way I hadn’t experienced before. And it did all of that without tricks, gimmicks, or complicated techniques.

It’s a no-bake cheesecake. That’s it.

But it’s also proof that simple, well-thought-out food resonates far more than anything overworked or overcomplicated. This cheesecake didn’t go viral because it was flashy. It went viral because it tapped into something familiar, comforting, and indulgent, and made it feel achievable.

In a lot of ways, it set the tone for everything that came after.

Why chocolate orange always works

Chocolate orange is one of those flavour combinations that feels baked into British food culture. It’s nostalgic without being dated, indulgent without being sickly, and instantly recognisable. One bite and you know exactly what you’re getting.

That’s why it works so well in a cheesecake.

The bitterness of dark chocolate, the sweetness of milk chocolate, the brightness of orange zest, and the richness of cream cheese all balance each other beautifully. Nothing dominates. Nothing gets lost. Each component supports the next.

Using Terry’s Chocolate Orange here isn’t a gimmick, it’s a shortcut to flavour people already love. It melts smoothly, it carries that signature citrus note, and it brings a sense of familiarity that makes this cheesecake feel comforting rather than intimidating.

And yes, the line still stands.

It’s not Terry’s. It’s yours.

Why this cheesecake went viral

Looking back, the reasons are pretty clear.

First, it’s no bake. That immediately lowers the barrier for people who don’t bake often or don’t trust their oven. Second, the ingredients are recognisable and accessible. Nothing obscure. Nothing specialist. Third, the result looks impressive without being fiddly.

But the biggest reason is that it delivers exactly what people want it to deliver.

It’s rich. It’s creamy. It tastes indulgent. And it feels like something you’d happily serve at Christmas, a dinner party, or just because you fancied something sweet in the fridge.

When people made it, it worked. That’s what matters most.

The structure matters

This cheesecake is built in layers that make sense.

The base uses bourbon biscuits for a deeper, chocolate-forward flavour rather than the usual digestive. Cocoa powder reinforces that chocolate note and stops the base from tasting flat. Melted butter binds everything together without making it greasy.

The filling starts with cream cheese and sugar beaten smooth, which avoids lumps later on. The cream is whipped separately so it stays light. Folding cocoa powder into the cream rather than the cheese keeps the texture silky.

The melted chocolate goes in last, once it’s cooled slightly, so it doesn’t seize or split the mixture. That attention to order is the difference between a cheesecake that sets cleanly and one that ends up heavy.

Everything here is deliberate, even if it looks effortless.

Why it still holds up

Trends come and go quickly online, but this cheesecake has stuck around. People still make it every year. It still appears on Christmas tables. It still gets sent to me by people who’ve cooked it for birthdays, celebrations, and first attempts at dessert.

That’s because it isn’t chasing anything.

It’s just a really solid cheesecake.

No baking, no stress, no complicated decoration. Just a smooth, chocolatey filling, a crisp base, and that unmistakable hit of orange that makes you go back for another slice.

Optional extras that actually make sense

Orange zest is optional here, and that’s intentional. Some people love a strong citrus note. Others prefer it subtle. Adding zest at the end lets you control that.

The decoration is simple too. Chocolate Orange segments on top look good, give a visual cue to the flavour, and don’t interfere with slicing.

This recipe isn’t about showing off. It’s about giving people something they want to eat.

Ingredients

200 g bourbon biscuits
100 g butter
1 tbsp cocoa powder
200 g Terry’s Chocolate Orange, plus extra for garnish
200 ml double cream
340 g cream cheese
150 g golden caster sugar
1 orange, for zest (optional)

How to make Chocolate Orange Cheesecake

1. Blitz the bourbon biscuits into a fine crumb using a food processor. Alternatively, place them in a freezer bag and crush with a rolling pin.

2. Melt the butter over a medium heat, then pour it into the biscuit crumbs along with the cocoa powder. Mix until it resembles wet sand.

3. Press the mixture firmly into the base of an 18–20 cm baking tin. Chill in the fridge while you prepare the filling.

4. Melt the chocolate oranges in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water. Once melted, set aside to cool slightly.

5. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and golden caster sugar together until smooth.

6. In a separate bowl, whip the double cream to soft peaks, then fold in the cocoa powder.

7. Fold the whipped cream mixture into the cream cheese, then pour in the melted chocolate and mix until fully combined.

8. Spoon the filling over the chilled base and smooth the top.

9. Decorate with Chocolate Orange segments and chill for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. If you’re short on time, a couple of hours in the freezer will speed things up.

10. Finish with orange zest if using, then slice and serve.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. This is best made the day before so it sets properly.

Can I freeze it?
Yes. Freeze without decoration, then thaw in the fridge before serving.

Can I use another chocolate orange brand?
You can, but Terry’s gives the most recognisable flavour and texture.

Why won’t my cheesecake set?
The cream may not have been whipped enough, or the chocolate may have been too warm when added.

Is this very sweet?
It’s indulgent, but balanced by the cocoa and orange. Cut smaller slices, it’s rich.

This cheesecake didn’t just start a trend for me, it started a career. And the fact that people are still making it years later tells me everything I need to know. Simple food, done properly, always wins.