This is the time of year when there are parties, dinners, work functions and family obligations to attend. I’m always looking for something quick, delicious and affordable to take along with me. I’m most often asked to bring a dessert of some sort (baking is my hobby) and I think these Cheesecake Brownie Bites are perfect to take to a holiday gathering.
The brownie recipe alone is very, very good and adding a cheesecake filling to these little bites makes them extra special. These bake up in muffin tins, so they are exactly hand held and individual sized. The recipe makes 24, so for a little effort you get a big return!
Cheesecake Brownie Bites Recipe
- 2/3 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt together the shortening and cocoa and pour into a large bowl. Add in the sugar and stir well. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, and beat well. Mix in the flour, salt, baking powder and nuts if using. Stir until combined. Spray 24 muffin cups with non-stick spray and drop 1 tablespoon of brownie batter into each cup. In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese, sugar and egg yolk. Drop 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture on top of the brownie batter. If you have extra cheesecake filling, divide it between the cups. Drop the remaining brownie batter over the top of the cheesecake filling. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the centers are fudgy but not wet when poked with a toothpick. Let cool and remove from muffin tins. Makes 24
These taste best when completely cool, but are very good served warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Just beware that they may want to crack or break until they are mostly cool. Want to make these really festive? Here are some great ideas to do just that.
- Add crushed candy canes to the brownie batter.
- Add mint or peppermint chips to the brownie batter.
- Add mint or peppermint flavoring to the cheesecake filling.
- Tint the cheesecake filling red or green.
- Sprinkle with tops with colored sugar or sprinkles before baking.
Any way you decide to bake these up, you’ll be making people you care about very happy this holiday season. These are a really simple but decadent treat.
yum
oh yum, yum! i’m pinning this for later 🙂
Pin away, they are fab!! 🙂