Baby Mocha Cheesecakes

Chocolate and coffee is a flavour combination that almost always makes people swoon. These little babies are so nice to serve and just the right size for a small but irresistible indulgence.

Makes 12

Crust

1/2 cup chocolate cookie crumbs

1/2 cup ground hazelnuts or almonds

2 tbsp sugar

3 tbsp butter, melted

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Cheesecake

1-8 oz package cream cheese, room temperature

1/4 cup sugar

2 tbsp sour cream

1 egg

2 oz good quality dark chocolate (Callebaut), melted

1 tsp instant espresso powder*

2 tbsp coffee liqueur or 1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

12 chocolate covered espresso beans for garnish

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Prepare a 12 cup mini cheesecake pan by greasing.

Mix cookie crumbs, nuts, sugar, melted butter and cinnamon together.

Divide mixture evenly among the 12 cups. Press the mixture firmly into the bottoms of the pans and about 1/3 of the way up the sides.

Place the room temperature cream cheese and sugar in a food processor or the bowl of your mixer and whip up until smooth and creamy.

Add the sour cream, egg, melted chocolate, espresso powder, coffee liqueur (or vanilla extract) and salt. Mix well to combine.

Put the mixture in a jug or measuring cup with a spout for pouring, or use a spring-loaded cookie scoop to get all the mixture into the 12 cups.

Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. The cheesecakes will puff up a little in the oven and fall when you cool them.

Remove from the oven and cool until set (about 30 minutes).

Remove from the pans by pushing up each cup from underneath then sliding a knife between the disc and the little cake.

Garnish with a chocolate covered espresso bean or a drizzle of dark chocolate.

A mini cheesecake pan is like a muffin tin but it has straight sides and removable bottoms. These pans make it so easy to remove the little cheesecakes and they look pretty and professional. The pans can be found at Cottonwood Kitchens.

*Instant espresso powder from Italy is a great addition to lots of good things in the baking world. It comes in little jars, lasts for a very long time and is available in Italian grocery or specialty stores.