Step 1

Make the chocolate cookie rounds: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, flour, and sugar.

Step 3

Add the butter and mash with a fork into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Add the egg and vanilla and stir until a soft dough comes together. Add the salt and stir to incorporate.

Step 4

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it comes together in a soft ball, adding more flour as needed.

Step 5

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Step 6

On a surface dusted with powdered sugar, roll out the dough with a rolling pin to a ⅛-inch (3 mm) thick round. Cut the dough into about 8 3-inch rounds. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 7

Bake the rounds for 15 minutes, or until dry looking and firm. Let cool for 10 minutes.

Step 8

Make the chocolate crust: Wrap the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) springform pan with foil.

Step 9

Transfer the cooled cookie rounds to a food processor and pulse until broken down into coarse crumbs.

Step 10

Add the powdered sugar and pulse to incorporate. Add the melted butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand.

Step 11

Transfer the crumbs to the prepared pan and press evenly against the bottom. Chill the crust in the refrigerator until ready to fill.

Step 12

Make the dark caramel sauce: Add the sugar to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar melts into a thick, amber-colored liquid, 3-5 minutes. Do not let the sugar burn.

Step 13

Add the butter and whisk until completely melted.

Step 14

Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add the heavy cream. Let the mixture boil for 1 minute, then add vanilla and stir to incorporate. Transfer the caramel to a heatproof bowl and let cool to room temperature.

Step 15

Make the filling: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).

Step 16

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the cream cheese and beat until smooth. Add the sour cream and beat to combine, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the sugar and beat to incorporate. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating to incorporate each addition before adding the next. Add the vanilla and white chocolate and beat to combine.

Step 17

Add the melted chocolate to a medium bowl. Add ½ cup (145 G) of the caramel sauce to a separate medium bowl, reserving the remaining caramel sauce for serving. Add 2 cups (550 G) of the cheesecake filling to each bowl and stir with a rubber spatula until well combined.

Step 18

Pour the chocolate layer into the center of the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer. Slowly pour the caramel layer over the chocolate layer and smooth the top. Slowly pour the white chocolate layer over the caramel layer and smooth the top.

Step 19

Set the springform pan in a large roasting pan. Carefully pour in boiling water, taking care not to splash into the cheesecake, until it reaches about 1 inch (2 ½ cm) up the sides of the springform pan.

Step 20

Carefully transfer the roasting pan to the oven and bake the cheesecake for about 2 hours, or until set.

Step 21

Remove the cheesecake from the oven. Carefully lift the springform pan from the water bath. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill overnight.

Step 22

Make the candied pecans: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 23

In a medium pan over medium-high heat, combine the water, sugar, and corn syrup. Cook for 3–5 minutes, until glossy. Add the pecans and cook, stirring constantly, until glazed, 2–3 minutes.

Step 24

Pour the pecans onto the prepared pan and separate so they don’t clump together. Let cool completely.

Step 25

To assemble, unwrap the foil from the springform pan and release the springform.

Step 26

Warm the reserved caramel sauce.

Step 27

Drizzle the melted chocolate on top of the cheesecake in a zigzag pattern. Sprinkle the candied pecans on top. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the pecans in the opposite direction of the chocolate.

Step 28

Slice and serve.

Step 29

Enjoy!