Chocolate Berry Cheesecake Bites are cute little bites of heavenly cheesecake in a cookie heart shape mold topped with berries for the perfect Valentine's Day treat.
Why you are going to love these Chocolate Berry Cheesecake Bites
Bite sized for portion control
Creamy
Crispy chocolate crumb crust
Fresh berries for the win
Do you have a favorite kitchen gadget?
I am a foodie and I'm supposed to have at least a million kitchen gadgets. Right? However, I am actually quite deficient in this area. I really do love kitchen gadgets, but usually do not buy them for myself. I usually just make do with what I have. However, I think maybe it is time for Healthy World Cuisine to obtain a few upgrades in the kitchen tool area.
Mr. Anonymous knows I have a weak side for fun and interesting kitchen gadgets so he gave me a couple of very unique ones for our anniversary. I am happy that he supports my passion for cooking. However, I know what you all thinking. "Hey that is not very romantic!" At least it was not a shop vac..! ( Come on fess up... How many of you got a new vacuum cleaner or electric drill for your anniversary ...?)
Mr. Anonymous knows that if he can motivate us to enter the kitchen, the higher the probability that he will be able to reap some rewards or maybe some Chocolate Berry Cheesecake Bites.
One of the kitchen gadgets that was gifted to me was a Lékué Decopen. According to Lékué website and pamphlet, "The DECOPEN is the most recent, innovative product added to Lékué's TOOLS family, you can add design and flavour to all your dishes, whatever the occasion. Mix your favourite sweet and savoury sauces and have fun adding the finishing touch and giving flavour to salads, meats, fish and desserts. Also have fun with the kids, decorating their favourite dishes. The new, four nozzle model opens up even more possibilities to decorate and improve on your favourite foods.
I was off to put the Lékué Decopen to the test. I began experimenting the with the 4 nozzles with a little chocolate sauce. The first time I filled up the container and drew my name in the sauce with the smallest of the tips. Easy enough. I proceeded to tried each of the nozzles and the fan nozzle was by far the coolest decoration on the dish. Now, I just needed a small little dessert to show off my artistic work.
One full size Berry cheese cake coming up for one of my dearest little teenage fan, Jason.
Several little mini heart-shaped cheese cakes with cool Lékué DECOPEN Chocolate designs to keep my hungry teenagers happy too. I better hurry and photograph my little cheesecakes before they are inhaled. Please continue to read along to find out how to make this yummy little treat...
Chocolate Drizzled Berry Bites of Cheesecake Heaven
Recipe adapted from Tyler Florence from foodnetwork.com (You have to love his cheese cakes)
Serves 12 adults or 2 hungry teenage boys
This recipe will make one standard sized 8 inch cheese cake spring-form pan dessert or one 6 inch spring- form mini cheese cake and also about 12 bite sized mini cheese cakes.
Crust:
- 2 cups finely ground digestive biscuits (about 1 package of plain cookies, graham cracker or you could use chocolate biscuits as well) Graham crackers are hard to come by in Hong Kong.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 stick unsalted melted butter
- cooking spray
Filling:
- 2 (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 pint sour cream
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- Blueberries, strawberries or any fruit your little heart desires
- Powdered sugar- just a dusting
- Chocolate sauce (I used Hershey's)
Step 1: Preheat the over to 325 degrees F. (162 degrees Celsius)
Step 2: In a medium bowl combine all the crust ingredients (cookies, butter, sugar and cinnamon) with a fork until evenly moistened. Spray cooking spray on spring- form pans or tart pan, or cute heart-shaped tart pan around the bottom and sides.
Step 3: Pour the crumbs into the pan and use your fingers to pat evenly on the bottom and sides of your pans or tart pans. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Make the filling: In a large bowl add cream cheese, eggs, sour cream, zest of lemon, and vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy
Step 5: Pour the cream cheese filling into the either your spring- form pans or small tart pans that has the cookie crumb filling. Be careful not to overfill as you will have a big mess.
Step 6: Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the bottom and sides of spring- form pan and seal. Fill a baking pan or baking sheet with a enough water so that once you put the cheese cake inside the water level comes up about ¼ up the outer sides of the pan. (Putting the pan in a water bath prevents the cheese cake from cracking on the top) You can also create a water bath for the tart pans as well.
Step 7: Bake the cheesecakes for about 40-45 minutes or until the center of the pie comes out clean with a toothpick.
Step 8: Allow the cheese cake to cool at room temperature and then refrigerate at least 5 hours but best overnight. Run a knife around the edges of the spring- form pan or mini-tart pans and remove the cheese cake.
Step 8: Decorate cheese cake with berries or whatever your little heart desires. Decorate bottom of plate for the mini bite sized cheese cakes with chocolate designs using your Lékué DECOPEN and artfully place mini-cheese cakes around plate. Enjoy!
Step 9: Refrigerate and consume cheesecake within 3 days. (Ha Ha Ha... like there would actually be any left with my 2 hungry teenagers in the house after one day) You can also freeze cheese cake if it will not be used within 3 days, but best if consumed within one month of freezing.
Ingredients
- digestive biscuits -
- cinnomen -
- butter -
- cream cheese -
- eggs -
- sugar or sugar alternative -
- sour cream -
- vanilla -
- lemon zest -
- chocolate sauce -
ioanna aggelidaki says
I have a problem. I love reading your blog, but everytime i do i just want to eat everything!!! Your creations are delightful!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks for the kind comment. You are always welcome to drop by but you have to be quick to the punch as I have 2 hungry teenage boys here and food goes really fast! Take care, BAM
Courtney says
Oh, that is just plain mean. I could so use a couple (or 5) of those cheesecake bites right about now. 😉
Healthy World Cuisine says
I will send some right over! I Might need a little dry ice!
kitchenriffs says
I'm decorating-challenged, so this would be lost on me. But maybe my wife - who is the real baker - might find it interesting. Hmmm? 😉 Good recipe, nice post - thanks.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Actually this was a big step up for me as I am usually stick figure 101 expert only. So if I can do it, really anyone can do it. I guess you have to let your wife have a little fun and do the baking. Take Care, BAM
thebigfatnoodle says
that's a very nifty gadget indeed 🙂
jothetartqueen says
i'll welcome that gift from my husband with open arms! nifty kitchen gadgets are always welcomed. I love the presentation of those mini heart-shaped cheesecakes! gives the good-old cheesecake a little makeover..
Healthy World Cuisine says
I think as this baker you are you would really like this gadget. However it is only good for small projects not big ones.
rsmacaalay says
Very beautiful presentation!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you!
yummychunklet says
Those definitely look like heavenly bites!
Charles says
Those look fantastic Bam, really so nice! Beautifully made - I could imagine seeing them in a bakery or cake shop! I almost bought one of those deco pen things, but settled instead for a piping gun... which reminds me, I need to make churros soon 😀
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Charles. Usually as fancy as I ever get is to sacrifice a plastic baggie with a little cut on the edge to make my designs. This was less messy.
Ohh my yummy churros! My boys would love those sprinkled with a little cinnamon sugar.
Take Care, BAM
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide says
Those are beautiful!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Greg. I am on my count down now to going back to US to eat a real homegrown tomato! So go ahead post away with lots of juicy tomato pictures as I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Take car, BAM
Savory Simple says
My goodness these look amazing. What a gorgeous presentation! And the digestive biscuits. Love!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you for your kind comment. Digestive biscuits are a great alternative to graham crackers for this dish. There are also so many different kinds of flavors such as ginger, plain and chocolate and all of them work very nicely in this dessert. Have a great day. BAM
Promenade Claire says
I'm imagining the hours of fun you can have with your new gadget. Not an anniversary present but I did get a shed one year 🙂 Much rather have something I want !
Healthy World Cuisine says
I have been given some really unique gifts in my lifetime but never a shed. That is a good one and perfect for all of your garden gadgets! I hope that I don't end up with so many kitchen gadgets that I need a shed. Take care, BAM
gardenfreshtomatoes says
Too Pretty To Eat is never a problem with teenagers around! Girls are just as bad, believe me...
Great recipe, and good on Mr. Anon for the fun gift!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Marie. I have heard this about growing teenage girls as well. However, they always come across as dainty and so full when they are around their boyfriends. Closet eaters I guess... Take Care, BAM
machisan says
WOW! these look like the best starter ever, they’re making my mouth water
Healthy World Cuisine says
My only suggestion is to make more as they do go quickly. Especially with teenage boys in the house.
Profiteroles & Ponytails says
Your desserts are works of art. I laughed at your post because I've been getting kitchen gadgets from my husband since our first Christmas together. Some women might be offended but I love it. I wouldn't complain if I got your handy little Lékué Decopen (remembering the name will be the hard part!).
Healthy World Cuisine says
As long as were not gifted a shop vac or ironing board...you are in the clear. I do like it quite a bit and it has a little end stopper so if you make some kind of glaze you can store it in the fridge right in the Decopen for later use. That is kind of a nice feature.
Kristy says
Hi Bam! I love this gadget! I made a cake for Mr. N a few weeks back and this would have been perfect for that little adventure. What fun! And your bites look delicious. I know my kids would devour the plateful. 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Kristy. I think for big pastry jobs just as a wedding cake or some other type of masterpiece this device is not appropriate but for small jobs or just to decorate your savory plates with your sauces it is very useful. Very fun! Take Care, BAM