Imagine all the delicious flavors of hot cocoa combined with the decadence of creamy cheesecake! My daughters baked made these Mini Hot Cocoa Cheesecakes, with a cute chocolate handle, and topped it with whipped cream to capture the flavors of their favorite winter drink- a cup of hot cocoa.
Chocolate Lover's Dream Dessert
My two teens chefs at home, sweetly called Sugar Fairies by family and friends, tweaked (read simplified) my chocolate cheesecake recipe and sneaked in their favorite recipe for hot cocoa. The result is a perfect harmony of flavors and the best of both worlds.
How to Make Mini Chocolate Cheesecake
Here are the step by step instructions for this Easy Cheesecake Recipe Made by my Teen Chefs:
Step#1: Make the Crust
For these Chocolate Cheesecakes, the girls start by making a crust by blending Oreo cookies with butter and brown sugar. Then they press down a tablespoon each into bottoms of lined muffin cups.
Step#2 : Make the Cheesecake Filling
Then, they make the chocolate cheesecake filling by blending together softened cream cheese with cocoa, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Using an ice-cream scoop, they spread it over the Oreo cookie crust.
Step#3 : Bake the Mini Cheesecakes
There are two ways you can bake these mini Cheesecakes, in the Oven, or, in an electric pressure cooker like Instant Pot. This recipe makes 12 mini-cheesecakes.
We prefer to bake them in the oven, as it's easier to fit and bake everything in one go. We bake them in a pre-heated oven at 350°F, for 17-20 minutes.
If you want to Bake these cheesecakes in an Instant Pot, check detailed instructions below.
Step#4: Decorate it with Chocolate handles and Whipped Cream
To make Chocolate handles for your cheesecake mugs, melt chocolate chips in the microwave. Wait for them to cool for about 5 minutes, after which transfer them into a piping bag, or a ziplock bag.
Cut the corner of the bag, making a very small hole. Now pipe the chocolate in an inverted "C" shape on a parchment lined baking sheet. Wait for them to cool for a few hours.
Once your cheesecakes have chilled for a few hours, insert the chocolate handles in the cheesecake. Top with whipped cream and dust some cocoa powder through a sieve. Your Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes are ready!
How to Bake Chocolate Cheesecake in an Instant Pot
- Prepare the crust and pour about a tablespoon in silicone cupcake liners, or greased mini ramekins. Press it down and set as per instructions.
- Prepare the batter as per instructions and fill the silicone liners leaving about ¼ of an inch from the top
- Pour a cup of water in the inner pot of the Instant Pot. If using an 8qt, pour 2 cups. Place a trivet and place 4 filled cupcake molds on top.
- Carefully stack another tall trivet on the first one, and place another 4 cupcake molds on top. Depending on your cooker size, you may have to bake the 12 cupcakes in two batches.
- Close the lid. Set valve to sealing position (if using duo). Pressure cook on Manual/Pressure cook for 7 minutes. Wait for natural pressure release after cooking.
- Remove cheesecakes and cool for 5 mins. Then carefully run your finger around the cupcake mold, gently separating the cheesecake from the mold. This prevents it from cracking when it's chilling in the fridge.
- Cool for 30 minutes at room temperature before refrigerating.
- Decorate as per instructions above in Step # 4 and enjoy!
Accessories Needed for Mini Cheesecakes in Instant Pot
- Silicone Cupcake Molds
- If you're using the silicone cupcake molds, you will need a trivet set to stack the cheesecakes in the Instant Pot.
- If you choose to skip the chocolate handles, alternatively, you can use 4oz. mason jars, or, 3.5 oz ramekins
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📖 Recipe
Hot Cocoa Cheesecake Recipe (mini)
Ingredients
Crust
- 12 Oreo cookies
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon butter melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese (at room temperature) (that's 2 bricks, 8oz each)
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Chocolate Handles & Topping
- 2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips melted. (or bitter sweet chocolate chips)
- Whipped cream for topping
Instructions
Make Crust
- In a food processor, blend the Oreos (with cream), brown sugar, and melted butter into fine crumbs. Press about a tablespoon each into the bottom of lined cupcake pan, or, individual silicone cupcake molds.
- If baking these in the Instant Pot, place the baking cups in the freezer while making the cheesecake mixture. This helps set the crust.
Make the Cheesecake Filling
- Beat the room temperature cream cheese until airy and smooth, about 30 seconds. Sift in the cocoa powder, sugar, and cornstarch. Beat until well combined, about 45 seconds. Add the egg, and vanilla, and beat until everything is completely combined.
- Using an ice-cream scoop, divide the filling evenly among the cupcake molds.
Bake it in the Oven or Instant Pot
Oven method:
- Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350F, for 17-20 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes at room temperature before refrigerating.
Instant Pot Method
- Fill a cup of water in the inner pot. Place a trivet and place 4 filled cupcake molds on top. Carefully place another tall trivet, and place another 4 cupcake molds on top. Depending on your cooker size, you may have to bake the 12 cupcakes in two batches. For more baking options, refer to the notes above.
- Close lid. Set valve to sealing position (if using duo). Pressure cook on Manual/Pressure cook for 7 minutes. Wait for natural pressure release after cooking.
- Remove cheesecakes and cool for 5 mins. Then carefully run your finger around the cupcake mold, gently separating the cheesecake from the mold. This prevents it from cracking when it's chilling in the fridge. Cool for 30 minutes at room temperature before refrigerating.
Chocolate handles (optional)
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt your preferred chocolate chips in the microwave. Cool for 5 minutes and transfer to a piping bag or ziplock bag. Seal the bag and cut off the tip of the corner for the chocolate to flow. Now pipe the chocolate in the shape of an inverted "C" shape. Allow ½-1 inch space between each handle. Let these cool for a few hours. You can insert these chocolate handles into the cheesecake before serving.
Topping
- Using fresh or canned whipped cream, top the hot cocoa cheesecakes and dust with some unsweetened cocoa!
Leslie says
I think you need to add the egg to the recipe.
aneeshasg says
Hi Leslie, thanks for pointing that out 🙂 . I added it to the ingredient list.