Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake Bites Recipe
Delight in these Mini Cherry Chocolate Cheesecakes, featuring a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a rich, creamy chocolate-infused cheesecake filling and fresh, juicy cherries. Perfectly portioned for individual servings, these treats combine the flavors of chocolate and fresh fruit in a luscious dessert that’s easy to make and sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini cheesecakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
Topping
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the crust and cheesecake.
- Prepare Crust: In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter until well mixed. Press this mixture firmly into the bottoms of muffin tins lined with cupcake liners, creating even crusts.
- Bake Crusts: Bake the crusts for 8-10 minutes until they turn slightly golden. Once done, remove and allow them to cool completely.
- Make Filling: Beat the softened cream cheese together with the granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the melted semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly combined.
- Fill Crusts: Spoon the chocolate cream cheese mixture into the cooled crusts, filling each to the top.
- Bake Cheesecakes: Return the filled pans to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. The cheesecakes should be set but retain a slight jiggle in the center when gently shaken.
- Cool and Chill: Let the cheesecakes cool to room temperature, then place them in the refrigerator for at least two hours to fully set and chill.
- Add Topping: Just before serving, top each mini cheesecake with fresh, pitted cherries for a burst of flavor and a beautiful finish.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to prevent lumps in the filling.
- Melting the chocolate chips can be done gently in the microwave or over a double boiler to avoid burning.
- Chilling the cheesecakes overnight will enhance flavor and texture.
- Use fresh cherries for best taste, but frozen cherries (thawed) can be a substitute if necessary.
- Line muffin tins with cupcake liners for easy removal and neat presentation.
