Dark Chocolate Jaggery Cheesecake: A Healthier Chapchar Kut Dessert Option

Chapchar Kut, the festival of Mizoram, is here and it is all about celebrating spring with great enthusiasm, traditional performances and a big feast. This harvest festival brings everyone together to celebrate the bounty of nature and sweets play a big role in the celebrations. Traditionally sweets made with jaggery are a must have in the spread, jaggery has been in Indian kitchens for generations. It’s pure and wholesome ingredient, offers natural sweetness with depth of flavor which refined sugar can never match.

From Pitha to rice based delicacies, jaggery finds its way in many Chapchar Kut treats. But if you want to give this festival a modern twist and keep the tradition alive, a Dark Chocolate Jaggery Cheesecake is the way to go. The rich, slightly bitter notes of dark chocolate pairs beautifully with the deep, caramel like sweetness of jaggery, a balanced dessert that feels indulgent but still wholesome.

Unlike the classic cheesecakes that uses refined sugar, this one uses jaggery for sweetness, making it a healthier option without compromising on taste.

How To Bake A Healthy Dark Chocolate Jaggery Cheesecake

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 ½ cups (150g) digestive biscuits, crushed
• ¼ cup (60g) melted butter
• 2 tbsp jaggery powder

For the filling:

• 200g dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped
• 250g cream cheese
• ½ cup (120ml) fresh cream
• ½ cup (100g) jaggery powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp cornflour

For the topping:

• 50g dark chocolate, melted
• 2 tbsp chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios, or walnuts)

Method

1. Crush the digestive biscuits into fine crumbs using a rolling pin or a food processor.
2. Add melted butter and jaggery powder, mixing well until it resembles wet sand.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 7-inch springform pan. Refrigerate for 20 minutes while you prepare the filling.
4. Melt the dark chocolate using a double boiler or microwave (heat in short intervals, stirring in between). Let it cool slightly.
5. Whisk the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add jaggery powder, vanilla extract and fresh cream, whisking until combined.
6. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Sift in the cornflour and fold it in. Mix in the melted dark chocolate.
7. Preheat the oven to 160°C. Pour the cheesecake batter over the chilled crust.
8. Place the springform pan in a larger baking tray and add hot water to the tray (this helps prevent cracks).
9. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the centre is slightly jiggly but set.
10. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool in the oven with the door slightly open.
11. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cheesecake. Sprinkle chopped nuts then slice and serve chilled!

Creative Ways to Garnish and Serve Dark Chocolate Jaggery Cheesecake

Drizzle with Melted Dark Chocolate

Melt some dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) in a double boiler or microwave. Once smooth, use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle it over the cheesecake in zigzag or circular patterns. The chocolate drizzle adds a glossy shine and reinforces the cocoa flavour, making each bite even more delicious.

Sprinkle Roasted Nuts for Crunch

To balance out the smoothness of the cheesecake, add a layer of roasted nuts. Chop a handful of almonds, cashews and walnuts, dry roast them on a tawa and let them cool before sprinkling them over the top. The nuttiness goes so well with the caramel like sweetness of jaggery, it’s a perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Dust with Jaggery Powder

Instead of refined sugar or icing sugar, keep it natural by lightly dusting jaggery powder over the cheesecake. Use a fine sieve for an even dusting that not only looks good but also adds to the earthy caramel like sweetness of the cheesecake.

Top with Caramelized Bananas

Slice a banana and sauté it with a teaspoon of ghee and grated jaggery until it turns golden and slightly sticky. Arrange these caramelized banana slices over the cheesecake or along the edges of each slice before serving. The warm, syrupy bananas add a natural sweetness to each bite.

Serve with Fresh Seasonal Fruits

Balance out the richness of chocolate with fresh, juicy fruits that provide a refreshing contrast. Fruits like oranges, pomegranate pearls, strawberries or mango slices work well, cutting through the deep chocolate and jaggery flavors and adding a pop of color to the presentation.

Use an Edible Flower Garnish

For a showstopper, garnish your cheesecake with edible flowers like marigold petals, rose petals or violets. These not only make the dessert look elegant and special but also add a subtle floral note that pairs beautifully with the deep chocolate and jaggery flavors.