Rocky Mountain Decadent Mini Cheesecakes
Indulge in these Rocky Mountain Decadent Mini Cheesecakes, a delightful and elegant dessert that serves up to 12 luscious portions! These mini cheesecakes are perfect for various occasions, from family gatherings to elegant dinner parties. They're made with a blend of creamy ricotta and light cream cheese, combined with a touch of cocoa for a rich chocolatey flavor, and topped with gooey miniature marshmallows and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Enjoy a guilt-free treat with lower fat content that doesn’t skimp on taste. Feel free to substitute ricotta with cottage cheese for a different twist or use large marshmallows if that's what you have on hand. Adapted from a beloved R. Reisman recipe, this dessert will leave everyone asking for more!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Smooth ricotta cheese
1 3/4 cups (Use 5% ricotta for a lower fat option.)
Light cream cheese
3 ounces (Soften at room temperature before use.)
Low-fat sour cream
1/2 cup (No preparation needed.)
Large egg
1 (Use at room temperature.)
Sugar
3/4 cup (No preparation needed.)
Unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons (No preparation needed.)
Flour
1 1/2 tablespoons (No preparation needed.)
Miniature marshmallows
1/3 cup (Use directly or cut large marshmallows into smaller pieces if needed.)
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons (No preparation needed.)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 12-cup muffin tin by lining it with paper muffin liners.
2
In a food processor, combine the smooth ricotta cheese, softened light cream cheese, low-fat sour cream, large egg, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and flour. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined.
3
Evenly divide the cheesecake batter among the lined muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
4
Place the muffin tin inside a larger roasting pan. Carefully pour hot water into the roasting pan until the water reaches halfway up the sides of the muffin cups. This water bath will help keep your cheesecakes wonderfully moist while baking.
5
Bake in the center of the oven for 20 minutes. After this time, remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the miniature marshmallows and semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the tops of the cheesecakes.
6
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the marshmallows and chocolate chips are soft and slightly melted.
7
Once baked, carefully remove the muffin tin from the water bath and let it cool on a wire rack. Allow the cheesecakes to chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to achieve the best texture.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary flavor profile of Rocky Mountain Decadent Mini Cheesecakes?
These mini cheesecakes feature a rich chocolatey flavor from unsweetened cocoa powder, topped with gooey marshmallows and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 12 luscious mini cheesecake portions.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What type of cheese provides the base for these cheesecakes?
The base is made from a blend of smooth ricotta cheese and light cream cheese.
Can I substitute the ricotta cheese with something else?
Yes, you can substitute the ricotta cheese with cottage cheese for a different twist on the recipe.
How should the muffin tin be prepared?
Prepare a 12-cup muffin tin by lining each cup with paper muffin liners.
What equipment is needed to blend the batter?
A food processor is used to combine the ingredients until the mixture is completely smooth.
How full should I fill the muffin cups with batter?
Each muffin cup should be filled about 3/4 full with the cheesecake batter.
What is the purpose of the water bath during baking?
The water bath helps keep the cheesecakes wonderfully moist while they bake.
How much water should be added to the roasting pan for the water bath?
Fill the roasting pan until the hot water reaches halfway up the sides of the muffin cups.
How long is the initial baking time before adding toppings?
The cheesecakes should bake in the center of the oven for 20 minutes before toppings are added.
What toppings are added to the cheesecakes?
Miniature marshmallows and semi-sweet chocolate chips are sprinkled over the tops.
How long do the cheesecakes bake after the toppings are added?
They return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the marshmallows and chips are soft and melted.
What is the recommended chilling time before serving?
Allow the cheesecakes to chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to achieve the best texture.
Is this recipe considered a lower-fat option?
Yes, it uses lower fat content ingredients like 5% ricotta, light cream cheese, and low-fat sour cream.
Can I use large marshmallows if I don't have miniature ones?
Yes, you can cut large marshmallows into smaller pieces if needed.
Whose recipe was this adapted from?
This dessert was adapted from a beloved R. Reisman recipe.
Should the cream cheese be at room temperature?
Yes, the light cream cheese should be softened at room temperature before use.
How much ricotta cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 1 3/4 cups of smooth ricotta cheese.
How much sugar is included in the batter?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of sugar.
Does the recipe require any flour?
Yes, the batter includes 1 1/2 tablespoons of flour.
How many eggs are used in this recipe?
One large egg is used, and it should ideally be at room temperature.
What type of sour cream should be used?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of low-fat sour cream.
What is the total approximate baking time?
The total baking time is approximately 25 minutes.
Should the cheesecakes cool in the water bath?
No, you should carefully remove the muffin tin from the water bath and let it cool on a wire rack.
How much cocoa powder is used?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Are these cheesecakes suitable for elegant parties?
Yes, they are described as an elegant dessert perfect for dinner parties or family gatherings.
What is the specific fat percentage recommended for the ricotta?
A 5% ricotta is recommended for a lower fat option.
How much chocolate chips are needed for the topping?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Is the cocoa powder sweetened or unsweetened?
The recipe requires unsweetened cocoa powder.