Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes with Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust

April 9, 2014

Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes with Graham Cracker Crust | Sarcastic Cooking

Yay! Blog friends having babies!!! Today we are celebrating Stephanie of Girl Versus Dough and her baby girl, who will be here in a little under four weeks, by throwing a virtual baby shower across many, many blogs. I think it speaks volumes about Stephanie to see how many different bloggers wanted to be a part of this shower.

gvd baby shower graphic

Let me just say that if you are anything like my mom you are probably wondering, “What is a virtual shower?” Well, in this crazy business called food blogging, you “meet” a lot of people. You meet them through their blogs and come to know them through their writing, through commenting, and through corresponding via email or social media. Now sometimes, you never really meet in person. But, you still feel like you know each other because we are all a bunch of weirdos who put all our personal biz out there on the internet for all to read.

Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes | Sarcastic Cooking

And in keeping with the spirit of our weird internet based friendships, we all join up our posts for the day on our first babies, our blogs, to celebrate a momentous occasion in one of our blogging friends lives. We all live in different corners of the world so it would be kind of hard to have a real life shower for Stephanie. So, we are showering her with kind words and recipes we think she would love instead.

Hope that explains the whole virtual shower thing. Or maybe I just confused you even more.

Before I dive into the cheesecakes, I just want to say a few words about Stephanie. She is a fellow carb and Seinfeld lover. Her blog is like a love letter to bread and baked goods. I have been lucky enough to meet Stephanie in real life. The emails organizing the meeting between me, Stephie, and Steph were quite comical. Thank God for the spelling differences in our names! It is always so much fun and reassuring to meet somebody who gets what you do and can offer advice about where to go next in your career. Stephanie has always been so helpful with any blogging questions I have ever had. Once I found out she was expecting, I was super excited because I happened to be pregnant at the time too!

Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes | Sarcastic Cooking

I have loved sharing emails back and forth about pregnancy woes and baby excitement. She made it through cravings and crazy nesting brain. It is time to have this baby, girl! Stephanie is going to be a wonderful mom! My one bit of advice is this: babies are smart and they can sense your fear, but just remember… you are smarter. Well, just keep telling yourself that.

Ok, on to these teeny strawberry covered cheesecakes with crisp chocolate graham cracker crusts!!! They are perfect baby shower food. Two bites and they are gone. These also happen to be perfect desserts to eat with one hand while you hold a sleeping baby in the other.

Oh BTW, Steph… This will be your life soon! It is awesome!

Baby

Pass along any good baby advice you have for Stephanie and be sure to check out all the other amazing posts from this long list of cool blogger peeps:

Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes from Sarcastic Cooking

Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake with Lemon Drizzle from Greens & Chocolate

Super Chewy M&M Blondies from The Realistic Nutritionist

Strawberry Cinnamon Twist Knots from A Kitchen Addiction

Lemon Shortbread with Salted Chocolate Drizzle from The Lemon Bowl

Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream from A Zesty Bite

Blackberry and Mango Curd Pie from Joanne Eats Well With Others

Pecan Sticky Buns from Warm Vanilla Sugar

Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins from Garnish with Lemon

Chocolate Chip Pancakes from Susie Freaking Homemaker

Super Simple Sugar Cookies from Espresso and Cream

Raspberry Acai Frozen Margarita from Nutmeg Nanny

Berry Coconut Frozen Yogurt from The Law Student’s Wife

Pretty in Pink Buttercream Cups from Keep it Sweet Desserts

Broccoli Salad with Honey Toasted Walnuts from The Roasted Root

Neapolitan Baked Doughnuts from Climbing Grier Mountain

Giant Pink M&M and Raisinette Cookies from Steph’s Bite by Bite

No-Bake Rhubarb Cheesecake Parfait Cups from Hungry Girl Por Vida

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp from A Cedar Spoon

Freckled Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade from Take a Megabite

Vanilla Anise Cupcakes from Blahnik Baker

Mini Vanilla Bean Layer Cakes from The Baker Chick

Mini Blackberry Hazelnut Meringue Cakes from Eat Your Heart Out

Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes | Sarcastic Cooking

Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes with Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 24 Mini Cheesecakes

Ingredients

  • For the Crust:
  • 2 Cups Finely Ground Chocolate Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
  • ¼ Teaspoon Salt
  • 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter melted
  • For the Cheesecake:
  • 1 Pound Cream Cheese at room temperature
  • 1 1/3 Cups Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Large Eggs at room temperature
  • 1/2 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
  • For the Strawberry Topping:
  • 1 Pint Strawberries cleaned, stemmed, and diced
  • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup Water

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two cupcake tins with paper liners and set off to the side.
  2. Add the ground chocolate graham crackers to a bowl and mix together with the butter, brown sugar, and salt. Take about a large tablespoon full of the mixture and place it into each cupcake liner. Use a small glass, shot glass, or spoon to press the crust into the liner until it is a tight flat layer. Bake crusts on middle rack of oven for 7-10 minutes. Set off to the side to cool.
  3. Adjust oven to 325 degrees F. Place a large, rimmed baking sheet on the lowest rack in the oven. Add three cups of water to the baking sheet and close the oven door. The water will help to keep the cheesecake layer moist.
  4. Add the cream cheese and sugar to the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix the two together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  5. Scrape down the sides. Add the salt and extract. Mix together until combined.
  6. Add one egg at a time, beating for a minute in between to ensure it is properly combined. Scrape down the sides as needed.
  7. With the mixer on low add in the cream and mix until smooth and creamy. Pour about ¼ of a cup into each cupcake liner with the baked crusts. Bake for 20 minutes on middle rack. After 20 minutes, shut the oven off and crack the door open. Let the cheesecakes cool as the oven cools for 20 minutes.
  8. Chill the cheesecakes overnight in the refrigerator for best taste.
  9. To make the strawberry topping, combine sugar and water in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Once all the sugar is dissolved, add in the strawberries. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes. Add to a heatproof bowl and let cool in the refrigerator.
  10. Top each cheesecake with a spoonful of strawberry topping before serving.

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  • Francesca
    April 18, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    I am all over that love letter. Cool concept… hope to do a similar ‘party’ with some people I’ve also ‘met’ through the wonderful world of blogging. Grats to your friend!

  • Jennie @themessybakerblog
    April 16, 2014 at 10:00 am

    Look at Andy getting in on the action. These mini cheesecakes are perfect for a virtual shower. They are so darn cute. Love that strawberry topping!

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  • laurasmess
    April 10, 2014 at 3:14 am

    This is so beautiful. I love, love the friendships that are made through blogging and you are entirely right that this baby shower is reflective of what a genuine, beautiful, warm person Steph is! Love the look of these tiny cheesecakes. Definitely perfect for a baby shower! So glad that the round up introduced me to so many wonderful bloggers, too. Your blog is amazing Stef! x

  • Audra| The Baker Chick
    April 9, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    I adore these- so cute and delicious!

  • Stephie @ EYHO
    April 9, 2014 at 8:39 pm

    These are so adorable! Thank you so much for teaming up for this – we are an awesome group, if I do say so myself! 😉

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  • Taylor @ greens & chocolate
    April 9, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    These are adorable and perfect for a baby shower!

  • Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
    April 9, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    Yayyy for Stephanie’s baby shower!!!! I feel like it was just yesterday we threw yours! Ok Stephie needs to hop on the band wagon and get knocked up now! 😛

  • amanda @ fake ginger
    April 9, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    I love tiny cheesecakes! Eating 4 tiny cheesecakes is always better than having 4 slices of a big cheesecake. And now I’m totally craving cheesecake.

  • Lauren at Keep It Sweet
    April 9, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    Isn’t it amazing the friends we find through blogging? Love these cheesecake bites- I’d easily eat 5 of them!

  • Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
    April 9, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    I’ll take a dozen. These look delicious! Congrats to sweet Stephanie!

  • Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
    April 9, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    Love this shower and love these cheesecakes!! You gals are so sweet to throw this together! How fun to be able to share the ups and downs of pregnancy with each other. 🙂

  • Susan
    April 9, 2014 at 11:25 am

    Love these mini cheesecakes! This is such a sweet celebration and congratulations Steph!

  • Cindy
    April 9, 2014 at 11:08 am

    Chocolate and strawberries and cheesecake! Always a good idea.

  • Joanne
    April 9, 2014 at 10:59 am

    It is kind of hard to explain this virtual party stuff to people who have no idea…but if you’re in the blogging world, then you totally get it! LOVING these cheesecakes! the perfect mix of rich and fruity.

  • Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
    April 9, 2014 at 10:11 am

    I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when you explained virtual baby showers because I texted my husband this morning about this surprise and he was like, “That’s so great!! What is that” lol. But in all seriousness, friend, THANK YOU for your sweet words and for all of your support and advice and encouragement throughout this whole thing. For real, I have your e-mails bookmarked so I know where to look when I need to remember one of your tips! And these cheesecakes… OMG. I know they’re mini but I might just have to eat like a dozen of them in one sitting. And then go back for a second round. HUGS! I can’t wait to share in the fun times of mamahood with you!

  • Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon
    April 9, 2014 at 9:37 am

    I’m pretty sure I need these mini cheesecakes in my life! They look Ah-Mazing!

  • Julia
    April 9, 2014 at 9:25 am

    SO sweet that you and Steph were able to bounce pregnancy thoughts back and forth – what a fun and unique experience! And a complete testament to how wonderful the blogging community is 🙂 So happy to be baby showering with you today, my dear!!

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