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A triple dose of chocolate topped with juicy glazed raspberries makes this mini chocolate cheesecake sinfully sweet!
It’s no secret that food is a huge part of my life. When I’m not in the kitchen cooking or at my computer writing out a new recipe, I’m flipping through my stacks of food magazines and cookbooks, or perusing some of my favorite blogs. To me food isn’t only sustenance, it’s a way to communicate and express my feelings. A big pot of Sunday sauce says “it’s family time”, chicken parm says “this is just for you” and cookie pops bear a secret message of love for two boys quickly growing into young men.
This Valentine’s Day I’ll be putting my heart in a jar. Okay, that didn’t sound sweet nor especially appetizing. Let me rephrase…I’ll be showing my family how much I love them with raspberry triple chocolate cheesecakes in a jar. I know, I know….it’s a mouthful…but a rich, silky, sweet mouthful.
This dessert represents a little bit of each of my guys. Max is a chocolate nut, Jack and Steve go crazy for cheesecake, and they all love anything with a swirl of whipped cream on top. And those shiny glazed raspberries (and yes I brushed each one individually) make this a showstopper.
This is everything you want in your Valentine’s Day dessert. All the chocolate (three ways to be precise), vibrant red berries and a single serving that will leave you satiated but not stuffed. Because if you’re baking to woo, you definitely don’t want to overeat and miss the best part 😉
But don’t head off to the kitchen just yet, because this is the day that keeps on giving. I’ve joined forces with some crazy talented bloggers to celebrate a Virtual Valentine’s Day Party. I hope you’ve got a big sweet tooth because you are going to want to give each and every one of these treats a try. From cupcakes to cookies, chocolate to lemon, small bites to hearty slices…we’ve got it all going on.
Make sure you head on over to each of these blogs for the full recipe and to see their gorgeous desserts in action. If you get cracking now you’ll have plenty of time between now and V-day to give each of these a try. If you’re looking for me, I’ll be in the kitchen!
Valentine’s Day Sweet Treats Blogger Party
The Sweet Nerd: Double Chocolate Naked Cake
The Road to Honey: Chocolate Tart with Champagne & Truffles
Girl Heart Food: Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, Raspberries and White Chocolate Drizzle
Seasonal Cravings: Chocolate Donut Holes with Pomegranate Cream Filling
No Spoon Necessary: Chocolate Velvet Skillet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Seasons and Suppers: Swedish Goey Chocolate Cake
Ciao Chow Bambina: Roasted Strawberry & Chocolate Hazelnut Panini
The Beach House Kitchen: Valentine’s Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies
Beer Girl Cooks: Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter No-Bake Cheesecake Cups
Beyond Mere Sustenance: Chocolate Dipped Candied Blood Oranges
- Crust
- 3 oz chocolate wafers about 12
- 2 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Dash of salt
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- Cheesecake
- 2/3 cup bittersweet chocolate chopped or morsels
- 4 oz mascarpone softened
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
-
- Chocolate Ganache
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup bittersweet chocolate chopped or morsels
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
-
- Glazed Raspberries
- 1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam or jelly
- 2 tsp water
- 10 oz raspberries you'll need 7 plump raspberries per jar
-
- * 8 - 4 oz jelly jars or ramekins
- ** optional - whipped cream for topping
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Crust: Crush the wafers into fine crumbs and mix with the melted butter, sugar and salt.
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Spray the jelly jars with cooking spray and evenly divide the crumb mixture between the jars.
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Tamp the crust down evenly using a flat bottomed utensil (i.e. cork, wooden spoon handle or shot glass). Set aside.
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Cheesecake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
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Place the bittersweet chocolate in a small heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Heat until just melted, stirring frequently. Set aside.
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In large bowl, beat the mascarpone, cream cheese and sugar until smooth, about 3 mins.
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Add the eggs, one at time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the salt and vanilla.
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Make sure the melted chocolate is still runny, but not hot, Slowly add it into the cheesecake mixture while beating. Continue to beat until well blended, about 1-2 mins more.
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Evenly divide the cheesecake mixture between the crust-lined jelly jars. Place a paper towel in a baking pan and place the jars in the pan. Carefully pour boiling water into the baking pan, enough to go about halfway up the sides of the jars. Cover the baking pan with foil and poke a few holes in the foil to vent.
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Place in the oven and bake until just set, about 20 mins. Remove the jars with tongs to a rack to cool while you make the ganache.
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Chocolate Ganache: Heat the heavy cream over med/low heat until just simmering. Add the chopped chocolate and let stand for 2 mins.
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Whisk the chocolate mixture until smooth and shiny. Stir in the salt.
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Divide the ganache evenly over the cheesecakes, cover with plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator to chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
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Glazed Raspberries: Combine the jam and water in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Cook, whisking, until the jelly becomes a liquid. Remove from the heat.
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Dip each raspberry into the glaze or use a pastry brush to glaze the berries. Make sure each berry is well coated.
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Place the berries on top of each cheesecake (about seven per jar). Serve with whipped cream if desired.
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Make ahead: Cheesecakes without the raspberries can be kept up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Once the glazed raspberries are placed on top, the cheesecakes will keep overnight, refrigerated.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
Gorgeous photos Cathy. I love how this represents each of your family members. So sweet and so yummy! Thanks for organizing a fabulous virtual Valentine’s Day!
Cathy says
Thanks Karen! Such a great time virtually partying with you ladies!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
These look absolutely decadent Cathy! I’m sure they disappeared quickly at your house! Thanks so much for organizing the Virtual Valentine’s Day Party! So many talented bloggers with so many delicious recipes! XO
Cathy says
Thanks Mary Ann. Loved seeing everyone’s gorgeous treats. So happy to share our virtual Valentine’s Day!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
These look absolutely GORGEOUS Cathy! Love how these represent your family and what a brilliant idea glazing those raspberries. Food is a big part of my life too, which is why I think I exercise so much, lol 😀 Pinning these beauties and trying soon. So happy to be part of this round up! Happy Valentine’s Day! XO
Cathy says
So happy we could share the holiday Dawn. And I hear you on the exercising thing…it’s an unfortunate byproduct of this food obsession. 😉
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Oh my this is fun! You’ve made ‘putting our hearts in a jar’ a beautiful thing! And delicious! Thanks for organizing another special virtual event, my friend! Maybe one day we can make it ‘real’!! xo
Cathy says
Thanks Annie! Seriously we need to make it happen in person one day. It would be beyond fun!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
OMG, these are just too cute, Cathy!! Buuuut then again, of course they are, because YOU made them! 😉 These are just perfect for Valentine’s day! I mean what’s not to love?! TRIPLE chocolate! INDIVIDUAL (because who really likes to share)! CHEESECAKE! Glazed RASPBERRIES! ANNND made in super cute JARS! Sorry for yelling, but I’m just so excited about these. Boy would definitely devour these! Thank you so much for organizing this #vdaysweettreats group! I’m honored to be a part of it! One of these days we will have to meet in person! Cheers, dear friend! <3
Oh, pinned. obviously!
Cathy says
You crack me up Chey! Thanks so much for all your kind words and love these collaborations. It’s true…one day we’ll have to have a blogger party in real life!!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Oh my! I love these jars and I love more that each part is made with love for your loved ones 🙂 So absolutely perfect for the day!
Cathy says
Thanks Jennifer. Those boys really do inspire!
Tamara Andersen says
Yes please! I love the combination of flavors in this sweet treat. I’m such a fan of individual desserts, and these are just gorgeous! I know my 5 guys would love them too!
What fun it is to meet new bloggers… Each recipe is so unique and beautiful! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Cathy says
Thanks Tamara! I love everything mini, on a stick or in an individual serving too!
courtney says
Gosh, these are gorgeous and look so delicious! Yummmmmm! Thanks for sharing your talents and inspiring the rest of us schlubs. Well, me anyway.
Cathy says
Ha! Thanks for your sweet words. And I’m guessing you’re no schlub in the kitchen!
Cindy says
I love a mouthful of triple goodness. And, how sweet is that – it represents your boys! Love that. Thanks for sharing this decadence. It is on the short list to make for my next soirée.
Cathy says
A mouthful of triple goodness…funny! This is a good one to make in advance for entertaining Cindy. You have to let me know if you give it a go.
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Dessert is a jar is always a win! These cheesecakes sound amazing and those glazed berries are a real show-stopper!
Cathy says
Thanks Rachelle! Somehow things taste better in cute jars right?
April Dávila says
My mouth actually watered as I was reading this. My boy, who loves raspberries (and is also, rapidly, growing into a young man), will LOVE this.
Thanks for sharing!
Cathy says
Thanks so much April! Can’t beat the chocolate/raspberry combo and sweet sons.
Tessa and Phoebe says
Phoebe and I will be right over to taste test your cheesecake in a jar. YUM! She says she wants to be a cooker and a mommy when she grows up – and I said that’s just like Cathy Roma!
Cathy says
Oh Phee!! Bring her over immediately so we can eat cheesecake and get her cooking. xo
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
When I saw these I instantly fell in love Cathy. But now that I know the meaning behind each component within them. . .well that makes them all the more special. And I can’t believe you brushed each one of those berries individually. That’s some major pampering for the berries and equally major patience on your end. But it was well worth it because they are definitely show stoppers.
Cathy says
Thanks Lynn. Yep, you can definitely simplify and give the berries a great big brush over the top, but the extra step makes it extra special. Gotta pull out all the stops for Valentine’s Day right?
Mary says
Can you believe I’ve never had chocolate cheese cake? I’ve had all sorts of cheesecake, I’m hooked on Red Velvet Cheesecake right now, but I’ve never indulged in chocolate cheesecake. I’m going to change that ASAP!
Cathy says
Red velvet cheesecake is crazy good but you have to get on the chocolate cheesecake bandwagon STAT Mary! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Ryan Arnold says
You had me at “Cheesecake”, but the raspberries push it over the edge for me. God this looks irresistible. I can’t wait to try this tonight…it’s never too early to start, right?
🙂
Thanks for sharing! .
Cathy says
Thanks so much Ryan! And you’re absolutely right…it should be Valentine’s month, not day. I plan to eat chocolate and raspberries all week!