Description
Creamy chocolate chip cheesecake on top of a homemade, from-scratch red velvet cookie crust. Red velvet lover or not, these mini cheesecakes are irresistible!
Ingredients
Red Velvet Cookie Layer
- 1 and 1/2 cups + 1 Tablespoon (196g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/4 cup (21g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature*
- 1 Tablespoon (15ml) milk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring*
Cheesecake Layer
- 12 ounces (336g) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons (30g) yogurt*
- 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (90g) mini or regular semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two 12-count muffin pans with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- Make the red velvet cookie layer: Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl as needed. Switch the mixer to medium speed and beat in the brown sugar and granulated sugar until combined. Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Once mixed, add the food coloring and beat until combined. Turn the mixer off and pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Turn the mixer on low and slowly beat until a very soft dough is formed. Beat in more food coloring if you’d like the dough to be redder. The dough will be sticky.
- Press 1 scant Tablespoon of cookie dough into the bottom of each cupcake liner. I say “scant” because otherwise you won’t have enough to make 22-24 mini cheesecakes. Bake each batch for 8 minutes to pre-bake the crust before layering the cheesecake on top.
- Make the cheesecake layer: using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high until completely smooth. Add the yogurt and sugar, beating on high until combined. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on medium until combined. Try not to overbeat, which will cause cheesecake cracks. Gently fold in the chocolate chips. Dollop 1 Tablespoon of cheesecake batter on top of the pre-baked cookie, spreading it to make sure it completely covers the cookie.
- Return the mini cheesecakes to the oven and continue to bake for about 20 more minutes, making sure the tops of the cheesecake does not get too brown. The cups are done in the oven when the cheesecake topping no longer jiggles when you shake the pan. Cover the cups with aluminum foil if the tops are getting too brown too soon. Allow to cool for 30 minutes on the counter, then in the refrigerator to set for another 1.5 hours.
- Cookie cups stay fresh covered at room temperature for 12-24 hours, and then must be refrigerated after that for up to 3 more days.
- Make ahead tip: Cheesecakes can be frozen up to 2 months– thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Notes
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | 12-Count Muffin Pan | Muffin Liners
- Cheesecake Bars: Feel free to try this recipe as cheesecake bars. Grab a 9-inch square baking pan, press the red velvet cookie dough into the pan, pre-bake for 10 minutes, pour the cheesecake on top and bake for about 35 minutes. Chill, slice, and serve.
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs are preferred for both layers. To bring eggs to room temperature quickly, simply place in a cup of warm water for 5 minutes. I usually set out my eggs when I set out my butter and cream cheese to soften about 1 hour before beginning.
- Yogurt: Recipe tested with 0% fat plain Greek yogurt. Use any yogurt, Greek or regular, that you prefer. Sour cream works as well.
- Food Coloring: I prefer using gel food coloring, but liquid food coloring will work, too. If using liquid food coloring, increase to 1 Tablespoon.
Keywords: mini red velvet cheesecakes, red velvet cheesecake