Easy and Quick Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

1. Chocolate cookie crumbs (1 cup)
2. Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons, melted)

For the Cheesecake Filling:

1. Cream cheese (16 ounces, softened)
2. Granulated sugar (1/2 cup)
3. Cocoa powder (1/4 cup)
4. Sour cream (1/2 cup)
5. Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
6. Eggs (2, large)

For the Chocolate Ganache Topping:

1. Dark chocolate (4 ounces, finely chopped)
2. Heavy cream (1/2 cup)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. Prepare Crust:
   • In a bowl, mix chocolate cookie crumbs with melted butter. Press a tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup to create the crust.
3. Bake Crust:
   • Bake the crusts in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool.
4. Prepare Cheesecake Filling:
   • In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and cocoa powder, beating until well combined.
5. Add Sour Cream and Vanilla:
   • Mix in sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth.
6. Add Eggs:
   • Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Ensure the mixture is creamy and without lumps.
7. Fill Muffin Cups:
   • Spoon the cheesecake filling over the cooled crusts in the muffin cups, filling each nearly to the top.
8. Bake Cheesecakes:
   • Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the centers are set. The edges may slightly pull away from the sides.
9. Cool:
   • Allow the mini cheesecakes to cool in the muffin tin, then transfer them to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.
10. Prepare Chocolate Ganache:
    • Place finely chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat heavy cream until it just starts to simmer, then pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until smooth.
11. Top Cheesecakes:
    • Once the ganache is slightly cooled, spoon it over the chilled mini cheesecakes.
12. Chill Again:
    • Return the cheesecakes to the refrigerator to allow the ganache to set.
13. Serve:
    • Once fully chilled, these Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes are ready to be served. Optionally, garnish with whipped cream, berries, or grated chocolate.

Enjoy these delightful Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes – a perfect bite-sized treat for chocolate and cheesecake lovers!