Easily serve these chocolate caramel cheesecake bites at the buffet by placing individual pieces in 2-inch foil baking cups.
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Crust
1 14 cups finely crushed chocolate cookie crumbs
14 cup Land O Lakes® Butter, melted
Filling
20 caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Fat Free Half & Half
13 cup chopped pecan, toasted
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
13 cup sugar
12 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 cup sour cream
Coating
1 (12-ounce) package (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips
14 cup shortening
*Substitute finely crushed chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs.
STEP 1
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 8-inch square baking pan with double thickness of aluminum foil, extending foil over edges. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP 2
Combine all crust ingredients in bowl. Press onto bottom of prepared pan.
STEP 3
Combine caramels and half & half in bowl. Microwave 1 minute; stir. Continue microwaving 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Pour over crust in pan. Sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate while preparing cream cheese mixture.
STEP 4
Combine cream cheese and sugar in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, beating just until combined. Stir in sour cream. Pour over caramel mixture.
STEP 5
Bake 35-40 minutes or until just set 2 inches from edge of pan. Cool on cooling rack 2 hours. Loosely cover; refrigerate at least 4 hours.
STEP 6
Lift cheesecake out of pan, using foil ends. Cut into 36 squares.
STEP 7
Place cooling rack over large piece of waxed paper on counter.
STEP 8
Combine chocolate chips and shortening in 1-quart saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, 4-5 minutes or until smooth. Pierce each cheesecake square with fork. Spoon chocolate over top and sides of each cheesecake square, letting excess chocolate drip back into pan. Place onto cooling rack. Let stand about 20 minutes or until chocolate is firm. Store refrigerated.
A gentle touch is the key to beating cheesecake batter. Beat just until the ingredients are combined. Overbeating incorporates too much air which causes cheesecakes to rise during baking, then fall and crack during cooling.
Caramel is creamy, sweet and salty. It makes ordinary desserts luscious and sophisticated.
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