Happy February

The week of Valentine's Day is always a busy week for me as a chef.  I wanted to get a head start on a special Valentine's treat for my family this week since the next couple of weeks are going to be pretty hectic.  I had to make a chocolate chip cheesecake to serve at a party this week anyway so I decided to make some mini cheesecakes for my family at the same time.  I can store the mini cheesecakes in my freezer until Valentine's Day.

After searching through all sorts of gourmet kitchen stores, I ended up ordering my mini springform pans from an internet website.  The very next week I found them in the cooking isle at Walmart.  :)  If you're interested in making mini cheesecakes - check your local Walmart store for mini springform pans.   

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
1 cup oreo cookie crumbs                    2 cups sour cream
2 Tablespoons butter, melted             3 eggs
16 ounces cream cheese                        1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 cup sugar                                                1 ½ cups chocolate chips

Combine oreo cookie crumbs and melted butter.

 
Press into bottom of springform pan.

 Beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add sugar and sour cream.

Add eggs and vanilla.

Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.  Pour into crust and sprinkle with remaining chips.

Bake 30-40 minutes at 350.  Turn oven off and leave cheesecake in for 1 hour to set.  Remove from oven and chill in refrigerator for 3-4 hours.

Once the cheesecakes have cooled completely, I remove them from the pans and chill them in the refrigerator.
 

I like to top my cheesecakes with a sweet and creamy topping.   I combine 1 cup of sour cream and 1/4 cup of sugar to make the topping.

Spread the topping on the cheesecake and serve with chocolate chips...

or fresh fruit.

 

I think my family is going to like this dessert.  I know I am.

Ciao!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
1 cup oreo cookie crumbs                    2 cups sour cream
2 Tablespoons butter, melted             3 eggs
16 ounces cream cheese                        1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 cup sugar                                                1 ½ cups chocolate chips

Combine oreo cookie crumbs and melted butter.  Press into bottom of springform pan.  Beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add sugar and sour cream.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.  Pour into crust and sprinkle with remaining chips.  Bake 30-40 minutes at 350.  Turn oven off and leave cheesecake in for 1 hour to set.  Remove from oven and chill in refrigerator for 3-4 hours.