Learn how to make these adorable and delicious mini turtle cheesecakes with a brownie bottom, creamy cheesecake center, and topped with caramel, chocolate, and pecans.
Want more cheesecake? Try my Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bars, No Bake Cheesecake, and Cheesecake Stuffed Baked Apples.
True confessions of a recipe hoarder Episode 937. Obviously I do a fair amount of baking and to be honest, sometimes I get a little behind on the sharing of my recipes. Case in point, these mini turtle cheesecakes. The exact date is a little fuzzy but I’ve been hanging on to this yummy recipe for wayyy too long without sharing it.
Mini cheesecakes might be my favorite kind of cheesecakes. Maybe that’s because tiny things have cute coming out the wazoo, orrrr maybe it’s because I can eat 12 of them and feel better about it than I would if I ate 4 whole slices of regular sized cheesecake. Probably a combination of the two.
These little morsels of sugary heaven are so dreamy. A brownie base with creamy vanilla cheesecake, topped with chewy caramel, rich chocolate, and crunchy pecans. All the flavors of a classic turtle dessert rolled into one little handheld bundle of cheesecake joy. So I’m sorry for the delay in getting these into your life, but trust me when I say they are definitely worth the wait.
Try this No-Bake Cheesecake recipe next!
Mini Turtle Cheesecakes
Ingredients
Crust
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cheesecake
- 16 ounces cream cheese - at room temperature, (2 8-ounce bricks, do not use fat free)
- 1 egg at room temperature
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Turtle Topping
- ½ cup caramels + 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips + 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- For the brownie layer, stir together flour and salt in a small bowl and set aside. In a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate and butter and microwave on half-power for 1 minute. Stir and return to microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring after each until smooth.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine sugar, eggs and vanilla and whisk until completely incorporated. Whisk in the chocolate mixture. Stir in the flour mixture until just incorporated.
- Spoon the brownie mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Bake for 10 minutes and set aside.
- Prepare the cheesecake layer by creaming together the cream cheese, egg, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fill each liner 3/4 full with the cheesecake mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheesecake is set. (Just wiggle the pan a little big and if the cheesecake doesn’t move much it’s done). Allow to cool about 15 minutes.
- Combine caramels and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl and cook on half power for 2 minutes. Stir, return to microwave for 20 seconds at a time until smooth. Repeat process in another bowl with chocolate chips and heavy cream.
- Spoon some caramel sauce on the top of each each cheesecake. Transfer to freezer or fridge for 2-3 minutes, then spoon chocolate sauce on top of caramel. Top with pecans. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Could i use a boxed brownie mix FOr the bottom layer?
If you want to cheat, then sure! 😉 I’m just joking- sounds like it should work! Definitely let me know the outcome!!
I tried a boxed brownie mix. The brownies ended up being a little underdone and they stuck to the paper so badly we threw most of them away. Stick with the recipe! I personally would increase the cheesecake layer to offset all the chocolate, but that may just be me.
Oh bummer- sorry to hear that! But thanks for sharing!
How many wrapped caramels does it take to equal 1/2 cup? Thank you
Honestly, it depends what brand you are using!
Do these freeze well?
Yes, they do! Let them come to temperature in the fridge several hours in advance or overnight.
I’ve made these twice and they’re UNBELIEVABLY delicious. I was wondering if you had a recipe for just the brownie layer? It’s the most delicious brownie I’ve ever tasted.