What do you get when you combine a brownie and cheesecake? The best treat EVER. These two-toned, two-bite gems are easy to make, and they’re perfect for holiday party platters.
Yield: 44bites
Prep Time: 10 minutesmins
Cook Time: 20 minutesmins
Total Time: 30 minutesmins
Ingredients
Brownie bites
¾cupwhole wheat flour, or all-purpose
½cupcocoa powder
½teaspooninstant coffee powder, optional
½teaspoonbaking powder
½teaspoonkosher salt
½cupapplesauce
3large eggs, lightly beaten
¾cupmaple syrup
1cupsemi-sweet chocolate chips
Cheesecake fillings
½cuplight, 1/3rd less fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature*
¾cuplight sour cream or Greek yogurt
2Tablespoonspacked brown sugar**
1teaspoonground cinnamon
¼teaspoonvanilla extract
*It’s important your cream cheese is completely softened, or you’ll wind up with small clumps throughout your dip. I leave mine on the counter for at least an hour, and then microwave it for 15 to 20 seconds to ensure it’s completely softened and easily stirrable before mixing with the other ingredients.
**You can swap in brown sugar replacement if you’re looking to minimize added sugar.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Liberally mist your mini-muffin tin(s) with nonstick oil spray and set aside.
To make the brownie bites:
In a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder, instant coffee, salt and baking powder, and whisk until well combined.
Add the eggs, maple syrup and applesauce to the dry ingredients. Stir to form a creamy batter, being thoughtful to not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Add about 1 tablespoon batter into each mini muffin compartment so they’re at least ¾ of the way filled up (you’ll have enough for approximately 44). Be sure to mix the batter as you go to distribute the chocolate chips—otherwise the chips will settle at the bottom and the last bunch will have way too many.
Bake in the oven on the middle rack for about 14 minutes, until the tops are firmed and no longer mushy. Remove and set on counter to slightly cool. While they’re still warm, make a well in the center of each by pressing down with the bottom of a measuring teaspoon. Let them sit and slightly cool.
While brownie bites are in the oven, make the cheesecake filling:
Mix all filling ingredients until smooth and creamy. Cover and place in fridge for at least 20 minutes to firm.
Right before serving, transfer brownie bites to a platter and add filling into the center using a small spoon. Garnish with a sprinkling of cocoa powder or mini dark chocolate chips.
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.