Brownie Bottom Mini Cheesecakes
These Brownie Bottom Mini Cheesecakes combine a rich, fudgy brownie base with a creamy cheesecake topping. Each bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and flavors that is simply irresistible.
- Author: homebitesia
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- 1 cup brownie batter
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for ganache)
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream (for ganache)
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (for topping)
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners. Lightly spray the liners with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. This initial step is crucial—if the oven isn’t hot enough, your brownies won’t set correctly.
- Prepare the brownie base: Spoon 1 tablespoon of brownie batter into each muffin liner, spreading it evenly. Bake for 8–10 minutes until just set. You want them to be firm around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. Avoid overbaking, as this will lead to dry brownies.
- Make the cheesecake filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Mix until silky and well combined, ensuring there are no lumps. This will result in a creamy texture that contrasts beautifully with the brownie base.
- Assemble the cheesecakes: Pour the cheesecake mixture over each baked brownie base, filling the liners nearly to the top. Gently tap the pan on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles for a smoother finish. This step helps avoid cracks in your cheesecakes.
- Bake the cheesecakes: Bake for 15–18 minutes until the centers are just set, with a slight jiggle. Keep an eye on them; they should not puff up too much. Overbaking will create a dry cheesecake, so check around the 15-minute mark.
- Cool and chill: Allow the mini cheesecakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before chilling in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Chilling enhances the flavors and helps the cheesecakes set properly.
- Prepare the ganache: Heat 3 tablespoons of heavy cream until steaming. Pour it over the semi-sweet chocolate chips and let it sit for 1 minute. Stir until smooth and glossy. This is your rich topping that will bring everything together.
- Finish and serve: Spoon the ganache over the chilled cheesecakes and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Serve chilled and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheesecake
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: Watch the baking time closely to avoid overbaking. Use quality chocolate for the ganache to elevate the flavor.