Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes

Crunchy oreo crust topped with a rich chocolate cheesecake filling, chocolate ganache and a swirl of cocoa whipped cream for the ultimate mini chocolate cheesecake.

Jump to:

• How to cut a heart-shaped strawberry
• How to make the perfect cheesecake
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

If you're looking for a decadent chocolate cheesecake this is the one for you! A chocolate base, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate ganache, and whipped cream... is there anything that isn't chocolate in this?!

That being said these aren't super sweet, by using 70% cocoa chocolate and cocoa powder we are able to balance out these cheesecakes for a rich, yet perfectly balanced dessert.

I've decorated these with heart-shaped strawberries for Valentine's day, but you can decorate these with more shavings of chocolate, berries, Oreos, or even chocolate truffles. Get creative!

How to cut a heart-shaped strawberry

The heart-shaped strawberries on these give them a special touch if you're making these for Valentine's day or a loved one, and it's not that hard to recreate!

Simply slice the strawberry in half and make two diagonal incisions at the top of the strawberry in the shape of a "v". This incision should cut off the strawberry stem while leaving a very rough heart shape. From here you can use your knife to round off the harsh edges and create the heart shape.

How to make the perfect cheesecake

The perfect cheesecake has a smooth and silky texture that isn't too dry! Follow these tips to create your best cheesecake yet.

Use room temperature ingredients

Using room temperature ingredients is key to creating a smooth and lump-free batter. Cold cream cheese is hard to work with as it clumps up easily, especially when incorporated with other ingredients.

If your cream cheese is still cold, cut it up into chunks, place it on a plate and zap it in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds. This should bring it to room temperature, the perfect temperature!

The same applies to the egg used. Cold eggs can cause the cream cheese to clump up once added, so make sure you take your eggs out ahead of time. Not only this, but adding cold eggs brings the batter temperature down, so when the melted chocolate is added it has a higher chance of clumping.

Beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth

This first step is one of the most important, as it smoothens out the cream cheese. This makes it easier to incorporate all the following ingredients and sets you up for success.

Beat on low to medium speed

Only beat the batter enough to incorporate and smoothen out the ingredients. The more you beat the batter the more air is incorporated. We want to avoid this as extra air is what causes the cheesecake to crack.

As we are topping these cheesecakes with chocolate ganache you won't be able to see the cracks that may form, but if you're after a crack-free mini cheesecake this is the tip for you!

Don't overbake

Overbaking is the key to a dry and crumby cheesecake. Cheesecakes should be baked until they are just set for the optimal creamy texture. When the cheesecakes are ready they should just be set, with a slight jiggle.

As these cheesecakes are so small they don't need a long bake time. This recipe instructs you to leave the cheesecakes in the oven after baking. At this point, the cheesecakes are almost done, and the residual heat in the oven should bring them to the perfect texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do these last?

These will last up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

My cheesecake cracked

There are a couple of reasons why your cheesecake may have cracked:

• The batter was overbeaten
• The oven temperature was too high
• The cheesecakes were overbaked

As the cheesecakes are topped with chocolate ganache and whipped cream it shouldn't matter too much if your cheesecakes crack though! They'll still be equally as delicious.

My cheesecakes were dry

The reason why cheesecakes are dry is in the baking. Overbaking your cheesecake will cause the cake to become dry and crumbly as the eggs and cheese overcook. The perfect texture is when the batter is just set. Refer to the "Don't overbake" section above to help you out!

Can I change the flavour?

Definitely! Whether that be substituting the oreo base for graham crackers, or changing the chocolate to white chocolate there are a couple of ways for you to customize these to your liking.

Let's Get Baking

When I think of Valentine's day I think of chocolate and hearts, and these cheesecakes are just that. These will be the perfect gift for your special someone, or just yourself!

If you liked this recipe make sure to leave me a comment and rating down below, I would love to know how you went.

Also, don't forget to tag me on Instagram @catherine.desserts and hashtag #cattycakes so I can see and share your desserts. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube, and TikTok for more of my baking creations and updates! Until next time... happy caking!

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