The Mini Peanut Butter Cheesecakes with Chocolate Ganache are an exquisite blend of flavors and textures, perfect for any dessert lover. The combination of a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy peanut butter filling, and a rich chocolate ganache topping, garnished with chocolate shavings, makes for a decadent treat. Here’s how to make them:
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (1/2 stick)
For the Cheesecake:
- 2 packages full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature (8 oz packages)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy whipped cream
Instructions
Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a regular-sized muffin pan with paper muffin liners.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until it resembles coarse sand.
- Press 1-2 tbsp of crumbs in each muffin cup firmly using a 1/3 cup measure. Bake for 5 minutes, then cool.
Cheesecake:
- Beat cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract. Mix in eggs, one at a time, just until the yolk breaks to avoid overbeating.
- Divide the batter among muffin cups, filling them up. Bake for 15-17 minutes until the center is slightly jiggly. Cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Chocolate Ganache:
- Place chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Heat heavy cream in a small pot until it almost boils, then pour over chocolate chips.
- Let stand for 1-2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature before topping each cheesecake with ganache and chocolate shavings.
Total Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 42 minutes
- Servings: 12
These Mini Peanut Butter Cheesecakes are not just delicious but also visually appealing, making them perfect for parties, gatherings, or as a special treat for yourself. The chocolate ganache and shavings add a touch of elegance, ensuring these desserts will be a hit with anyone who tries them. Enjoy the process of creating these gourmet treats and the delightful experience of savoring them!