Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake Tartlets
Chocolate shortbread mini tartlets filled with buttery salted caramel and topped with a fluffy no-bake cheesecake.
Hi! How are you guys? No I really mean it, how are you guys??? What is going on with you? What’s happening in your life these days?
I am slowly getting over that nasty bug I was complaining about last week. It was a doozy! I’m still stuffy and I have this hacking cough I can’t seem to kick, but, happily, I’m overall doing so much better. I think it might have been the flu! My little ones and I all three were miserable with it, but the husband somehow never came down with it. He’s the only one out of our little family who had the flu shot earlier this season. What are your feelings on the flu shot? Yay or nay? I’m not super anti-vaccine but I am a little cautious about that stuff. I didn’t let my kids get more than two inoculations per month, and I always tried to carefully weigh out the risks vs. benefits. All that being said, I do think that next year I will go ahead and get the shot. It’s just been such a tough winter for me this year, and when Mom isn’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!
I have to tell you how much I really love all of your comments and sweet thoughts and wishes. I get all sorts of encouragement from you guys, through this blog and through my Facebook page, and it really means so much! I know that a few of you were also suffering with winter illness right along with me, so I hope you are doing better! Thank you, thank you, thank you, for taking a few minutes out of your busy day to leave me such kind and uplifting messages. I truly feel so blessed to count you as a friend 🙂
So- today kicks off my husband’s birthday extravaganza! Do you remember hearing about his 40th birthday in this post? Well, tonight he’s partying it up with his friends, tomorrow my brother and sister in law are coming in for the family party later tomorrow night, and then Sunday is the Superbowl! Lots going on. I’m thinking about making Snickers cupcakes for the party, and then we’ll be putting out some yummy snacks on Sunday, like chips and dips, buffalo wings, and loaded potato skins. What comes to your mind when you’re thinking about game-day desserts? For me, it’s gotta be really indulgent, and it’s gotta be finger food. No fancy plates or utensils when you’re sitting on the sofa with your eyes on the television. These little treats cover both bases! And they are so perfectly pop-able, just right for a sweet game-day snack.
These babies are a mashup of three of my most favorite recipes. My Simply Perfect Chocolate Sugar Cookie forms the crust of the tart. These cookies are uber-chocolatey, from all the cocoa powder, and a little less sweet, which is perfect for pairing with my gooey, sweet, and buttery Simply Perfect Salted Caramel Sauce. A fluffy no-bake cheesecake tops them off!
After I posted the recipe for Simply Perfect Chocolate Sugar Cookies, I had a lot of readers tell me that their dough was dry or crumbly. You’ll want to start with just 1 1/4 cups of flour, and mix mix mix to see how it comes together, before adding any more than that. If it’s really clinging to the sides of the bowl, add a little more flour, like a tablespoon at a time, mixing, until it looks like this:
It should not be dry or crumbly. It should hold together really nicely. If you roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness, and cut it with a 3-inch diameter blossom cutter, it forms a little mini-tart shell when you bake it over the back of a mini-muffin tin. Press carefully around the top edge, with your fingertips, to seal any cracks. They’re perfect for filling with yummy things! Like salted caramel!
Really this whole idea came to be simply as a vehicle to get more salted caramel into my face. Seriously, this stuff is so good. Like, insane! Your eyes will roll back in your head. I have a whole step by step caramel making tutorial here. It’s really easy and it only takes about 10 minutes. You’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff after you’ve tried this! One and a half batches will fill all the chocolate tartlet shells. Go ahead and make two batches- you’ll definitely find a use for the leftovers. I find a spoon works really well 😉
The no-bake cheesecake topping is basically just whipped cream with a little cream cheese added in. There’s only one thing that tastes better than salted caramel, and that’s salted caramel with cheesecake. Just be sure and whip the cream really nice and stiff before you add in the softened cream cheese. That way it stays really thick and pipe-able. I used a Wilton 4B tip to top the tartlets with a kiss of fluffy goodness.
These chocolate caramel cheesecake tartlets are like a cross between a cookie and a candy. They are really so splurge-worthy!
I hope you guys have a really fun weekend! Doesn’t it feel so good to be almost done with January now? Next up is Valentines Day, and then Spring will be right around the corner! I’m so ready for warmth and sunshine!
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Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake Tartlets
Ingredients
- 1 batch Simply Perfect Chocolate Sugar Cookie dough
- 2 batches Simply Perfect Salted Caramel Sauce
- 1/3 cup (78.86 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 ounces (42.52 g) softened cream cheese, (I used reduced fat)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- optional: chocolate vermicelli,, for garnish
Instructions
Make the Tart Shells
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Roll the cookie dough to a thickness of ¼ inch.
- Cut with a 3 inch diameter blossom cookie cutter, and carefully place over the back of a mini muffin tin.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
Make the Topping:
- Whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
- Add in the sugar and vanilla.
- Whip in the soft cream cheese until completely incorporated.
Assemble the Tartlets:
- Fill each tart shell with about a tablespoon of caramel.
- Top with cheesecake topping.
- Garnish with chocolate vermicelli.
They look so delicious Allie, I could happily nibble on them all night long. I’m going to be featuring your salted caramel sauce on my blog this month, I made two batches and I’m in love with how amazingly delicious and easy it is to make.
I’m now co-hosting Sweet and Savoury Sunday’s and would love for you to link up your recipes 🙂 Hope your feeling better, it’s horrible being ill.
Oh yay! That’s so exciting Laura! I will definitely link up! Thanks for inviting me and for the kind words and wishes. I’m doing much better now 🙂
These tartlets are absolutely adorable! So cool how you used the muffin tin upside-down to create their pretty shape. And I just love your last picture with the caramel just oozing out. pinned. 😀
Thank you Sarah! That caramel is just so irresistible to me, I really wanted to capture it in that photo. I’m so happy you liked! Hope your week is off to a great start 😀
These tartlets are gorgeous Allie! Love how pretty they look in the blossom shape and the filling sounds heavenly! So glad to hear you are feeling a bit better and hope you have a great time at all the parties and you enjoy the rest of the weekend 🙂
Thanks Kelly! I hope you had a fun weekend too! Ours was great and we’re now just putting everything back into place. More snow today! So no school for the kiddos, again! xoxo
These are so cute, I think my head is going to explode! Your desserts are always so beautifully presented, and the photos are lovely as always. Pinned!
Thank you so much Natasha! I love your work so much too 😉
These are just beautiful ad genius Allie! Look liek something from a french pastry shop. I love the blossom cutter use!! I’m so glad to hear you are starting to feel better. I’m a fan of vaccination whenever it’s recommended. Mr J usually can’t be bothered with it but he is the only one who gets sick around here.
Ha ha very telling! Well I’m not surprised… I never used to get sick like this, so it didn’t feel necessary, but after the year I’ve had, I’m thinking that’s no longer the case. Thanks for the good advice and the sweet comment <3
That looks super good. Absolutely delicious!!
Thank you, Jack Andrew! I’m so happy you liked. Three of my favorite recipes rolled into one! Thanks for reading!
These look absolutely delicious! 🙂
Thanks, Jess! They are a real treat!
Those look really delish! I would love to have a dozen of these right now for breakfast!
Ha ha thanks Jocelyn! They are really sweet and rich 😉
they are so cute and look delish!
Aw, thanks Dina! They are so yummy!
These look incredible – so cute. I think they’d make a perfect Valentines treat too.
Absolutely Corina! They’d be a perfect sweet for your sweetie 😉 Thanks so much for reading! 😀
This is such a cutesy idea, yet totally super bowl party appropriate! You’re a baking guru! Props to Mr. Allie on the big 40 and hope you all enjoy! I will be making this dessert and def pinning for future reuse!
Aw thank you Grace! I will pass your wishes along to him and thanks for pinning too! 😀
Oh gee, I can’t get over how smart the idea of using a pretty cookie cutter and baking it over the back of the muffin tin is! I always just smoosh the dough into the tin, and although they look cute enough, next time I am definitely doing this! Plus over the back of the muffin tin makes them a little bigger, and more dessert always sounds good to me 🙂 So pretty, pinned!
Sherri, I know!!! I had done it your way before, inside the tin, and I had the same issues! It’s awkward, and there’s not as much filling as I’d like. This way they are nice and deep and they hold lots of yummy caramel! The blossom shaped cutter is great too- it helps the dough to form better without pleating. I’m so glad you liked the post and thank you so much for sharing on Pinterest! Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend! 😉
Okay I am obsessed with these! How stinkin’ cute! And they combine all of my favorite things too, ohhh Allie my thighs will not thank you for this! 😛
Ha ha! Yes they are definitely a splurge! I couldn’t even manage more than one. So sweet and rich! I’m so happy you like them, Mimi! Hope you have a really fun weekend 😀
These tarts are gorgeous, like professional pastry chef level gorgeous! Your Superbowl and birthday party guests are in for a real treat. So glad you are back and feeling better! I highly recommend a flu shot, by the way. Every year that I have gotten one, I’ve had a relatively healthy winter, but those years that I decided to skip the shot, I ended up with a completely debilitating flu. It’s worth the $20!
Good to know, Nora. I haven’t had a flu shot since I was in my early 20’s. The only time I ever had it, I ended up getting really sick, so I had sworn off it ever since, preferring to take my chances. But, lately, I’ve been a lot more susceptible to illness, so I’m thinking it’s the right move from here on out. I hope you’re doing well…??? Thanks for the kind words, friend! Enjoy your day!
These look so good! The caramel oozing out looks like it’s the best part. 🙂
Oh, yeah! That caramel is to die for! I keep a jar in my cupboard at all times, lol! Thanks for reading, Katy, and for the sweet comment. Hope you’re having a great weekend! 😀
Allie, these little tartlets are so genius and adorable! Pinning them! Have a fabulous weekend!!!
Thank you Anna! They are so sweet and indulgent. I’m so happy you liked them; and thank you for pinning! Hope you enjoy your Sunday! <3