Red Velvet Mini Cheesecakes

As Valentines Day is approaching, we think of those we love and plan ways to show them through sweet gifts and gestures.  I'm thinking up festive desserts,  and these bright Red Velvet Cheesecakes would make the perfect Valentine dessert.  A rich red velvet cheesecake  on a chocolate cookie crust, topped with fresh whipped cream, then garnished with chocolate shavings and heart decorations, pure love!

 

Recipe

Crust:

1 9 oz package thin chocolate wafer cookies, crushed

1 Tbsp sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted (1/2 stick)

Filling:

2 1/2 8 oz packages cream cheese (20 oz total), softened

1 cup sugar, plus 1 Tbsp

1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa

2 tsps pure vanilla extract

2 Tbsp red food color

3 large eggs

1/2 cup heavy cream

Whipped Cream:

1 cup whipping cream

1 Tbsp granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Garnishments - dark chocolate shavings ~ I used a Ghirardelli Twilight Delight bar, sprinkles

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use 2 6 cavity small cheesecake pans ~ to yield 12 2 1/2" cheesecakes, or bake 1 large cheesecake and adjust cooking times.

Mix cookie crumbs, melted butter and sugar, divide crumb mixture among cups and press.  In the bowl of an electric mixture fitted with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Gradually add in sugar and cocoa and beat on med until fluffy.  Beat in vanilla and food color.  Beat in eggs, one at a time until blended, then heavy cream, scrape sides of bowl as needed with rubber spatula, beat until well blended.  If you have any chunks of cream cheese, change to a whisk attachment and beat until smooth.  Divide batter evenly among pans, each will be filled out 3/4 of the way.  Bake approximately 20 minutes or until centers are just set.  Cool at room temp then refrigerate at least one hour before serving.  For whipped cream, in chilled bowl of mixer, with a whisk attachment, beat whipping cream, sugar and vanilla on high until stiff peaks form.  Spoon or pipe whipped cream onto chilled cheesecakes.  Garnish with chocolate shavings and decorative sprinkles as desired.

Recipe Adapted from Betty Crocker

 

Enjoy and Happy Valentines Day!

Pans available in Baking Store:
http://astore.amazon.com/rosscoubak-20/detail/B002NV3V6O