16ozcream cheese(2 blocks) softened to room temperature
⅓cupgranulated sugar
2large eggsroom temperature
¼cupsour cream
1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
6tablespooncocoa powder
For the white chocolate ganache
2cupswhite chocolate melting wafers
¼cupheavy whipping cream
Melting Snowman Decorations
12jumbo marshmallows
12Rolosunwrapped
12pretzel sticks
12strandspull apart red licorice candy
orange icing
black icing
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with cupcake papers.
To Make the Oreo cookie crust
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Oreo crumbs and melted butter.
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the cookie crust mixture into each muffin cup. Use your fingertips to press the mixture into an even layer until it is firmly packed.
Bake the cookie crust for 5 minutes and allow it to cool.
Reduce the oven to 325 degrees F.
For the chocolate cheesecake filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar using a mixer on low speed until well combined.
Now, add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla extract and beat for about 2 minutes.
Add the cocoa powder to the cream cheese mixture and mix until well combined.
Next, using a cookie scoop, scoop the cheesecake filling into each cupcake liner until full to the top of the liner.
Bake the cheesecake cups for 20-22 minutes.
While the cheesecake is baking, use the black and orange icing to add eyes, a carrot nose and a mouth to each jumbo marshmallow. Set the marshmallow faces aside.
To make the white chocolate ganache
In a medium mixing bowl, melt together the white chocolate and heavy cream. You can do this in 30 second intervals in the microwave or over a water bath. Continue whisking the white chocolate mixture until the ganache is smooth.
Decorate the cheesecake cups with a melted snowman
First, transfer the ganache into a piping bag and pipe ganache onto the top of each cheesecake cup into a smooth circle. (Once you pipe the ganache, work quickly to place the other decorations before the ganache sets.)
Then, place a marshmallow face towards the back of each cheesecake cup with the face looking forward.
Wrap a strand of red licorice around the marshmallow and cross it in front of the marshmallow for the scarf.
Now, break each pretzel stick in half and place the halves on either side of the marshmallow to make the snowman's arms.
Repeat for each snowman cheesecake cup.
Next, use some of the icing to attach a Rolo to the top of each marshmallow for a hat.
Finally, let the cheesecake cups cool and the decorations set. We recommend refrigerating the cheesecake overnight.
Notes
To avoid lumps in the filling, make sure the ingredients are at room temperature.
Be careful not to overbeat the cream cheese mixture as it will incorporate too much air and cause cracking while the cheesecake bakes.
You can use food safe food coloring markers to make the face instead of icing.
Store these melting snowman cheesecake cups in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To freeze, place the cheesecake cups in an airtight, freezer safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When you are ready to serve them, let them unthaw and enjoy.