Apr 16 2010
Mini Black-Bottom Cheesecakes with Jam
When it comes to desserts, I prefer them small and bite-sized, obviously for portion-control and because they are so darn cute. So when I came across this Mini Black-Bottom Cheesecakes with Jam recipe in Food & Wine’s September 2008 issue, I knew I had to rip it out and make it one day. That ‘one day’ finally came and I can now share this with y’all! These mini cheesecakes have a nice amount of richness and creaminess, without being overly sweet. I was able to yield 48 of these, so I had to share it with other people, who also enjoyed them – a little too much if you know what I mean. So if you want to make an ‘oh-my-god-it’s-so-good’ kinda dessert, then I highly recommend making this for your next event, or just to have around the house. But I do have to warn you – don’t sit on the couch like Peg Bundy and pop them in your mouth like Bon-Bons. They are addicting!
In a food processor, finely crush 24 chocolate wafer cookies, preferably Nabisco's Famous Chocolate Wafers. Then, add 3 tbsp unsalted melted butter and process until fine crumbs form.
You can either use the 12-cup muffin tins or 24-cup mini muffin tins. I used the mini ones! Also, make sure you get the foil baking cups, instead of the paper ones that I used. The foil ones will come out nicer, but since I didn't have that, I worked with paper. Spray each of the cups with vegetable oil spray and spoon the cookie crumbs into the baking cups and press the bottom to compact the crumbs. Bake this for 5 minutes at 350-degrees or until the crusts are almost set.
Meanwhile, beat 8 oz. cream cheese with 1/4 cup sugar at medium speed until smooth. (You can either use the big mixer, or a handheld mixer). Next, add 2/3 cup of crème fraiche (see below) at room temperature until incorporated, and finally 2 large eggs and 2 tsp pure vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
For those of you who are not familiar with crème fraiche, I've taken a photo of it for your reference. Crème Fraiche is a cultured cream that is basically a thinner form of sour cream first developed by the French. It has a slight hold and tanginess because it contains bacterial cultures.
Now, pour the cheesecake batter into the baking cups, filling them 3/4 full (I went overboard, which is ok), and bake them for about 15 minutes, or until the centers are slightly jiggly.
Remove from the oven and spoon a little bit of warmed fruit jam (I used strawberry jam) or preserves on top of each cheesecake. Transfer the muffin tin to the freezer and chill the cheesecakes until cooled, about 15 minutes. (If you're not in a hurry, you can let the cheesecakes cool to room temperature and then refrigerate them.) When they're ready, carefully remove the cheesecakes from the muffin tin and peel off the baking cups.
These tiny little cheesecakes are so easy to make! Unfortunately, mine weren't as pretty as the one in the magazine because I used the mini-muffins and it was much harder to work with - and didn't use foil liners. But in any case, they still resulted in delicious cheesecake bites. Don't be tempted to eat the whole batch, and remember to share!
To view or print-out this recipe, click here: Mini Black-Bottom Cheesecakes with Jam
OMG these look so cute and so delicious! I think I can totally make these! I need a food processor.
These look sooo good….I think I have to make these!!
thanks so much for sharing this recipe
All The Best!
Dennis
.-= Chef Dennis´s last blog ..Roasted Red Pepper Hummus =-.
Oh my! These look incredible. I know what I’ll be doing tonight
Thanks!
Mary http://delightfulbitefuls.blogspot.com/
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie =-.
Oh, I love! Wonderful use of creme fraiche!!! They are absolutely adorable
.-= Liren @ Kitchen Worthy´s last blog ..Striking Gold in a Desert Farmer’s Market =-.
Love the one bite idea in a cheescake .
look yummy will definitely try.
Yum! So what happens when I eat a dozen? LOL
http://shamrockandshenanigans.blogspot.com/2010/04/rocking-corn.html
.-= Shamrocks and Shenanigans´s last blog ..Cheap Cookie Cutters with my Butter Cookies =-.
You know darn well I would eat that whole plate of those wonderful jammin’ cheesecakes. They look marvelous, just like a bite of heaven!
.-= redkathy´s last blog ..Grilled Pork Chops, pineapple, and cinnamon apples =-.
Adorable! These look incredibly decadent and delicious. I appreciate the small size, but might have difficulties stopping at just one.
.-= Cookin’ Canuck´s last blog ..Grilled Mahi Mahi with Red Pepper & Cilantro Pesto Recipe =-.
These are just begging for a Peg Bundy experience. How is it possible to remember to share when they all magically disappear?
.-= Conor @ HoldtheBeef´s last blog ..Gingervitis and poppy seed teeth =-.
Wow…looks gorgeous and delicious! I have never made them int small individual ones like these. I have to try next time. Thanks for sharing.
.-= MaryMoh´s last blog ..Spicy Cashew Nuts Chicken (Gong Bao Chicken) =-.
oh these look delicious! I LOVE black bottom cupcakes!
http://cuppycakebakes.blogspot.com
.-= Tarrah Dame´s last blog ..Whole Wheat Pancakes with a Berry Sauce =-.
I love those individual little bites, they look so pretty and you don’t have to eat a huge amount, just a few. Love this recipe!
.-= citronetvanille´s last blog ..Either way, it’s good – Chocolate pot de crème or panna cotta? =-.
i’m a fan of the mini-dessert phenomenon as well, and these are terrific! the dribble of jam on top is the perfect addition, both for appearance and taste!
.-= grace´s last blog ..patent that! =-.
Small bites are perfect for dessert and satisfy the craving for something sweet. You can’s beat this combination of flavors to do just that!
Those look just perfect. I love mini cheesecakes. Thanks for the great idea!
These do look irresistibly delicious! I’m a fan of tiny bite desserts. These wouldn’t last long around me!
.-= Reeni´s last blog ..Italian Pizzelle Cookies =-.
These look so cute and delicious! Gonna to bookmark it.
.-= anncoo´s last blog ..Orange Cheesecake =-.
Wonderful dessert. Great post! Cheers!
They are pretty enough and shall cheer up every one in a party.
.-= TasteHongKong´s last blog ..Red Wine with Purple Onions =-.
looks amazing ..
These sound wonderful – so cute! I love the creme fraiche in this recipe!
.-= 5 Star Foodie´s last blog ..International Incident Party: Wild Little Plum Pizza Pie =-.
Oh oh oh, so cute! Portion-control does not work for me…I will have more and more of these irresistible cuties!
.-= tigerfish´s last blog ..Pasta in Tomato-Chicken Curry Sauce =-.
These are perfect for parties! Who can ever resist these gorgoeous little goodies. Really neat as well! Thanks so much for sharing. Have a nice day! Cheers, Kristy
.-= kristy´s last blog ..Red Dragon Fruit Simple Baguette =-.
Wonderful dessert. Great post! Cheers!
Wow..totally ate and ate and…..yp u guessed..yummeee
Thanks for sharing 
OMGoodness! Those look so delicious!! i’m bookmarking this recipe!! YUmmm!!!
.-= tree´s last blog ..Dragonfly’s Hollow Artist Feature =-.
Wonderful dessert. Great post! Cheers!
Thanks for the recipe, used it for a VIP reception, and they were well received indeed. Served with lemon/rosemary shortbread cookies and minichoc chip/almond biscotti (made with extra virgin olive oil). Will be making them again, and I didn’t change one thing.