mini chocolate cheesecake tarts

adapted from seven spoons

makes about 3 dozen tarts

ingredients

1 cup of chocolate cookie crumbs (4-5 chocolate graham crackers)

1/3 cup of sweetened, flaked coconut

1/3 cup of pecans, finely chopped

1/2 stick of butter, melted

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar

8 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature

2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

1 large egg
6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

1/3 cup of heavy cream

how to

preheat to 350.

line a mini cupcake pan with cupcake liners of the appropriate size.

combine cracker crumbs, coconut, pecans, and butter to make a chocolate crust. 

fill each of the cupcake liners with about 1 teaspoon of the crust mixture and pat down firmly with the back of a spoon to create a bottom crust.

bake for 12-13 minutes.

to make the cheesecake filling, beat softened cream cheese, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until smooth. 

beat in vanilla, then the egg.

when the crust has finished baking, spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cheesecake mixture on each crust.  the cheesecake mixture should reach just under the top of the cupcake liner.  (you need room for a layer of chocolate ganache).

bake the cheesecakes for 20-22 minutes until puffed and set.  (give them a little jiggle to check). 

cool the cheesecakes on the counter for about 30 minutes and then transfer them to the fridge (uncovered) for another 30 minutes.

while the cheesecakes are cooling, prepare the chocolate ganache.

dissolve 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar in the heavy cream.

add chocolate and melt in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water.

when the cheesecakes have cooled, spread about 1 teaspoon of the ganache over each cheesecake.

cool for about 30 minutes on the counter or in the fridge.

here's a picture from seven spoons to give you an idea of the finished product, but remember the recipe above is for individual tarts.  you can  make squares by using an 8 inch square baking pan.  the ingredient ratios and cooking times work the same.