Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mini Cheesecakes
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs (like Oreos, crushed without the filling)
3 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
For the Cheesecake Filling:
16 oz (2 blocks) cream cheese (softened)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs (room temperature)
⅓ cup sour cream
½ cup finely diced fresh strawberries
For the Chocolate Coating:
1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
1 tbsp coconut oil or vegetable oil (for smoothness)
For Topping:
12–15 small fresh strawberries (whole, stems on or off)
Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan:
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
Line a standard muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. Make the Crust:
Mix the chocolate cookie crumbs and melted butter together.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of mixture into each cupcake liner and press firmly to form a crust.
Bake for 5 minutes, then let cool slightly.
3. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth (about 2 minutes).
Add sugar and vanilla, and beat until creamy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined after each.
Mix in sour cream until smooth.
Gently fold in the diced strawberries.
4. Fill and Bake:
Spoon the cheesecake batter over the crusts, filling almost to the top.
Bake for 16–18 minutes, until the centers are mostly set (they’ll jiggle slightly).
Turn off the oven, crack the oven door open, and let cheesecakes sit inside for 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature.
Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or until very cold.
5. Make the Chocolate Coating:
Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth.
6. Assemble:
Top each mini cheesecake with a small whole strawberry.
Spoon or drizzle melted chocolate over the strawberry and cheesecake to coat.
Chill again for 15–20 minutes until the chocolate hardens.
Tips for Success:
Make sure your cream cheese is really soft before mixing to avoid lumps.
You can also dip just the strawberry in chocolate first, then set it on top for a fancier look.
If you want extra texture, sprinkle a few crushed chocolate cookies over the top while the chocolate is still wet!