Description
Silky mini chocolate cheesecake dessert boxes bring Italian-inspired elegance to your dessert table, promising pure indulgence. Sweet chocolate layers and creamy filling create a luxurious experience that will impress guests and satisfy chocolate lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cream cheese
- 1 cup chocolate (dark or milk)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup butter
Sweeteners and Flavoring:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
Binding and Texture Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the sides for easy removal.
- Melt butter and mix thoroughly with graham cracker crumbs, pressing the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create a compact base.
- Using an electric mixer, blend cream cheese until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and cornstarch into the cream cheese mixture, mixing until fully integrated.
- Melt chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, stirring until completely smooth and glossy.
- Fold the melted chocolate and heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture, creating a rich and uniform batter.
- Whisk eggs separately, then gently fold them into the cheesecake mixture, being careful not to overmix.
- Sprinkle salt into the batter and mix briefly to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Pour the entire mixture over the graham cracker crust, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is just set but still slightly jiggly.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to allow the cheesecake to set and flavors to develop.
- Use parchment paper handles to lift the cheesecake out, then slice into individual mini boxes or squares.
- Optionally garnish with chocolate shavings or a light dusting of cocoa powder before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Cracks: Avoid overmixing the batter and bake in a water bath to create a smooth, crack-free surface by placing the baking pan in a larger pan filled with hot water.
- Chocolate Quality Matters: Use high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate for a more intense, rich flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
- Precise Temperature Control: Let ingredients like cream cheese and eggs come to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free batter and consistent texture.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground nuts like almonds to make the dessert suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg