Warm Chocolate Cheesecakes
Rich, luscious individual Warm Chocolate Cheesecakes are a terrific party or special occasion desserts, but easy enough for a weeknight! Who doesn’t love their own personal dessert? These mini cheesecakes are incredibly delicious and you won’t have to share!
This Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe passed all the picky palate taste tests! Serve right out of the oven for a magnificent indulgence!
Why You Must Make
- Everyone loves having their own personal dessert!
- These chocolate cheesecakes are rich and creamy.
- This recipe comes from Sara Mouton, former editor of Gourmet magazine.
- Unlike typical cheesecake recipes, these minis are eaten warm!! SO darn good!
I cannot bake anything chocolate without a curious family member popping into the kitchen to peer into the oven….along with a slew of questions. Is that for us? Does it have nuts? When will it be ready? The irresistible scent of brownies or chocolate chip cookies works its way into every nook and cranny of our house.
You can imagine the reaction when these cheesecakes started puffing up and sending out their heavenly fragrance. So quick, so decadent, from start to finish, the aroma of chocolate decadence was present in less than an hour. Plus, the fact that a Warm Chocolate Cheesecake could practically be eaten fresh out of the oven, made them even MORE popular with my crew.
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Sugar, Flour
- Semi-sweet Chocolate – I use a Ghirardelli bar, chopped
- Cream Cheese – I use the Philadelphia brand as the quality is superior to generic brands; have it at room temperature for easier incorporation and a smoother texture.
- Real Vanilla Extract – I use the Nielsen-Massey brand. Do not use artificially flavored vanilla.
- Egg – I always use large eggs unless otherwise noted. Have it at room temperature for easier blending. You can put your egg in a bowl of very warm (not boiling) water if you forget to bring it out of the refrigerator ahead of time. It should be ready to go in 5-10 minutes.
Expert Tips
- PRO-Tip: Make sure to set your egg and cream cheese on the counter for at least an hour before you start mixing. Having them both at room temperature helps to make a super creamy cheesecake.
- Use good quality chocolate and vanilla extract. Those are the two main flavors in these chocolate cheesecakes so using generic chocolate chips or artificial vanilla will not produce the tastiest results.
- I like using a semi-sweet Ghirardelli chocolate bar. This chocolate is easy to find in the supermarket. And I always have Neilsen-Massey Vanilla Extract in my pantry.
- Grease four ½-cup capacity ramekins with butter.
- Gently melt the chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. I start and stop at 30-second increments, stirring each time until melted and smooth. If you don’t have a microwave, you can melt the chocolate by placing the bowl into a similarly sized saucepan partially filled with simmering water, stirring occasionally until melted.
- Mix in the cream cheese and vanilla with a rubber spatula until well combined.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients, then add to the chocolate. After that’s well mixed, mix in the egg.
- Divide the batter between the prepared baking dishes and bake until the centers are set.
- Serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream, berries, or just plain!
Frequently Asked Questions
These cheesecakes have about 475 calories each without whipped cream or ice cream toppings. This is certainly less than a big slice of cheesecake with a crust, but wouldn’t be considered a healthy or low-cal dessert.
Making these individual cheesecakes is very easy. You do not even need a mixer! The dry ingredients are mixed into the chocolate cream cheese mixture. An egg is added, then they’re scraped into ramekins and baked. That’s it!
The cheesecakes that aren’t eaten fresh out of the oven should be cooled, and then stored in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap. They taste best if brought out of the refrigerator to warm up a bit, about an hour before serving.
You May Also Like:
- Caramel Topped Mini Cheesecakes
- Individual Chocolate Souffles
- Mini Berry Crisps
- Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes
- More of the Best Dessert Recipes
- More Homemade Chocolate Recipes
Warm Chocolate Cheesecake
Rich individual chocolate cheesecakes that can be eaten warm out of the oven!
Ingredients
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons flour
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- Berries, whipped cream or ice cream, optional for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter four ½-cup ramekins and place them on a baking sheet.
- Coarsely chop the chocolate and gently melt in a microwave-safe bowl, stopping and stirring at 30-second increments until smooth.
- Combine the chocolate with the cream cheese and vanilla and mix with a rubber spatula till well combined.
- Stir together the sugar and flour, and mix into the chocolate mixture until well combined.
- Add the egg and mix until incorporated.
- Divide the batter evenly between the ramekins.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the centers are set.
- Cool slightly before serving.
- May top with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and berries if desired.
Notes
You can make the batter a day ahead, fill the ramekins, cover and refrigerate. The next day, let them rest at room temperature for an hour before baking to take the chill off. Then bake as directed.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 ramekinAmount Per Serving: Calories: 473Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 226mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 3gSugar: 33gProtein: 8g
99 Comments on “Warm Chocolate Cheesecakes”
Ok, now you have done it! We have an intense craving for chocolate and there is not even a chocolate chip anywhere to be found. Put the ingredients on the grocery list as this is a must try. Love how simple it is too.
I just adore a baked cheesecake and I just love that this one doesn’t have a crust…more room for the good stuff!
Not only do these sound delicious, the good thing is that I have all the ingredients. Yea!
Can I replace the 2 tsps of flour with 2 tsps of cocoa?
I remember Sara Moulton. I used to love her show. I miss the days of watching food tv and printing out the recipes to try when my kids were little. Now that I’m a food blogger, I don’t have time to watch, nor do I want to. LOL. p.s. These mini cheesecakes look divine. I love that you can eat them warm out of the oven and you don’t have to share! Bonus!
This looks like something I could eat over and over again!! Cheesecake is the absolute best!
Liz, this looks absolutely decadent, dreamy (and creamy)! I’m a huge fan of cheesecakes, but the crust isn’t normally my favourite part, that’s why this crustless variation is right up my alley. Great job!
Don’t think I’ve ever had cheesecake served warm. Sounds so delicious. And I will never say no to chocolate! 🙂 ~Valentina
This is the most heavenly lush chocolate cheesecake ever Liz! YUM! Pinning!
I was looking for a warm dessert to serve outside on Saturday night. It’s going to be 16C (60F) during the day but will cool down to 10C (50F) so we will be bundled down with the heater and electric blankets, it will be nice to have a warm dessert in hand.
i LOVE cheesecake and who does not like chocolate. This sound so delicious Liz. Perfect for cold weather
These are so delicious! Chocolate heaven! Everyone loved them!
I made these recently and they are amazing! Just wondering, do you think I could mix up the batter, refrigerate them in the ramekins overnight and bake them the next day?
Hi, Kayley,
It definitely could work, though I haven’t tested it. The only possible trouble would be overbaking or underbaking since the batter will be cold and you’ll need to add some extra baking time. If you try it, please let me know how it goes!
P.S. Maybe if you set the unbaked cheesecakes out for about 1 hour before baking, they’d come closer to the temperature they’d be if you just made the batter.
I followed your suggestion, made the batter a day ahead and then set the ramekins out the next day an hour before baking them and they were perfect! Great recipe and everyone loved them!
Oh, I’m SO glad, Kayley! I’ll make a note of this in the recipe. Such a terrific tip. Thank you!!!
This is magic – Warm Chocolate Cheesecake –
fine, delicious and flavorful, I recommend it!
http://trydiani.blogspot.com/2014/02/blog-post_15.html
Compliments to you, beautiful photos and great recipe, thanks.
This is magic – Warm Chocolate Cheesecake –
fine, delicious and flavorful, I recommend it!
Compliments to you, beautiful photos and great recipe, thanks.
Instead of making these in ramekins, can I just make it in a baking dish? Will that affect the cooking time or anything?
Yes, I’m sure it can be done, but it will need to be baked longer…and you might want to bake it in a water bath so that it cooks at an even temperature. Set your baking dish into a larger pan and fill the larger pan with boiling water about half way up the sides of your dish. Hope it works for you!!!
Perfect! This dessert would make my family happy.
You are after my heart with this warm chocolate beauty!! 🙂 I would love one… or maybe even two of these. 🙂
Favorite family meal: spaghetti and meatballs. Thank goodness my kitchen elves love to roll meatballs!
OMG I am literally drooling over this
I used to make something similar to this for our Friday night dinner. It was a recipe from I think Family Circle. Haven’t done that is soo long. Next time I will try this!
I love a good cheesecake and chocolate is always a winner! It would be perfect with a scoop of ice cream and some berries!
Lizzy,
I love cheesecake but I’ve never had it warm. Your pictures make all your recipes look so delicious.
Hope you had a great 4th of July.
Annamaria
I wish you were coming to the conference! Would love to meet you and I would request some cookies 🙂 These cheesecakes sound divine!
Unusual – I was interested to note warm actually meant room temp. Enjoyed your post. 🙂
I love the idea of a warm cheesecake! I’m always stealing a piping hot slice when it comes out of the oven anyway, so why not serve it that way? Lovely, Liz!
I miss my leisurely summer days when I could watch FoodTV for hours upon end. 🙁
My everday-dinner-go to-meal has to be tacos.
I used to love that show. And, you had me at cheesecake. But you can always have me at cheesecake. 🙂
Oh Liz, I love the sound and the look of this warm chocolate cheesecake…and so simple to make. Perfect paired with fresh raspberries.
Have a great week ahead 😀
I’m a huge fan of Sara Moulton and used to watch Cooking Live also. I learned to spatchcock a chicken and roast it in less than an hour from that show, a recipe that’s been a lifesaver over the years.
The cheesecakes look beautiful and sound delicious.
Just love warm desserts.. Its doesn’t matter if its warm out, we still love them.. These almost looks like little chocolate soufflés!!
Right now my go-to quick summer dinner is Greek salad with Israeli couscous.
Wow, these sure looks delicious! With my chocolate and cheese loving kids, these would be gone in a jiffy!
Liz, I can imagine with all the delicious treats you make (like these) that you are like the Pied Piper of the kitchen. I know I wouldn’t be able to stay away either – lol!
Liz, this looks amazing! And all in one bowl? Even more amazing. Also – this is silly, but I noticed that three-bowl dish you have in the background, full of berries. It made me remember that I totally HAVE that dish, and it’s sat unused and unloved in the basement for years. I need to get it out for a food photography prop!
Oh my, Lizzy…chocolate and cream cheese, a match made in ‘heaven’! Especially eating it warm…warms your tummy, your heart and soul (now that’s corny) but true!
Sara Moulton is such a sweet, laid back type of chef…I remember her shows so well, she had so much patience answers phone calls of people asking so many culinary questions. I miss Gourmet magazie as well, and do remember when she was the executive chef there; what a tremendous accomplishment in her career! xoxo
I need at least two with lots of fresh berries!
What an incredible dish, Liz! So beautifully presented, and a lovely story of how you were inspired by Sara. Oh, and my favorite everyday meal would have to involve chicken… and usually some type of salad and roasted veggies!
I need a spoon please 🙂 anything with cream cheese blended with chocolate, Yum I’am a fan, great recipe Liz !
Looks good and bonus with the easy cleanup!
I love that they are individual, so very cool. Great for a brunch or dinner party.
Chocolate AND Cheesecake? you’re killing me! Love the individual servings, but I would probably end up eating two of them in one sitting.
My goodness! This would be so comforting and good to eat – now I want some chocolate! 🙂
my fav would be a nice simple plate of veggies grown from my garden(:
These mini chocolate cheesecakes look incredible Liz! I love that it can be made without a mixer too, perfect for a quick but heavenly dessert:) I can’t wait to try making these, pinned!
My favorite everyday meal is a kefir smoothie.
Chicken and rice is an easy and healthy favorite
Looks so so so delicious! You had me at chocolate!
One of my favorite everyday dinner meals is spaghetti and meatballs!
My mouth is watering! Your presentation is beautiful – as always!
I can certainly relate to kids in the kitchen. I wish they’d all come in at once so I only had to spell out what I was doing once instead of dribbling in all through the cooking process one at a time, all asking the same questions. I feel I should write it on a notice board. Warm chocolate cheesecakes sound very good xx
I love this recipe and perfect to make while vacationing in the mountains. Hopefully it won’t be to tricky with the altitude.
I’d love to enter that giveaway but will be out of town. Thanks for offering it though.
Dear Lizzy,
I remember those shows. I liked them. They weren’t gimmicky like so many of the shows that are on now.
Well, the chocolate cheesecake sounds wonderful. I am sure everyone in the family enjoyed this dessert.
Blessings dearest. Catherine xo
I could eat several ramekins of that cheesecake and ask for more. It looks very fabulicious! I like Sarah Molton too.
Funny, I used to LOVE to watch Sara too and learned so much. I love her easy going, every day attitude. Will enjoy checking out her new book, especially after being teased by your fabulous looking recipe!
This is so fabulous! I’d lick that bowl clean, for sure.
I want to dive into this chocolate creation and never come out again! 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Ohhhh I *so* wish I could have dairy, eggs and full fat stuff! I’d be all over this
OMG, does it get any better than this!!!
Your photos and recipes make me drool every time.
That looks quick enough to whip up on a week night!
Yummy and easy!! Love that combination!!
I stick to stir-fry when I need something super quick and easy. Hopefully my husband does the chopping.
Your story pretty much describes my husband’s twenty questions whenever I am in the kitchen. I don’t blame your family though I would be in with you if I smelled chocolate.
Every word of the name of this dessert makes me want to crush my screen and reach through! So tempting! Love Sarah and her books and shows. Our favorite family dinner is my Hubby’s homemade pizza 🙂
I love that you made these in small portions! So cute 😀
Peppery Broccoli with Angel Hair Pasta is my favorite.
One of my favorite everyday meals is a toasted tuna salad sandwich which I add fresh olives, cilantro and tomatoes on top of it.
I haven’t eaten warm cheesecake before, but I think this one sounds wonderful. You know how to make your family very, very happy.
I love these individual servings! I must try this for my next dinner party! Beautiful photos!
Liz,
your family is so cute! love that they pop into the kitchen and ask a million questions. . with chocolate, who wouldn’t?! 🙂 WOW! love this. . looks absolutely fabulous! and I love how you served it! yumm!
i love it even more while it served cold and firmer….hehehe
btw, your ramekin is so fancy!
This looks terrific! I love cheesecake and I love chocolate, so this is perfect (I’d fit right into your family!). I remember that Sara Moulton show – it was wonderful. She really rocks. Food TV used to have a terrific lineup. I haven’t watched in ages because it seemed to have changed (and can’t watch now – we dropped cable because we found we watched so little TV). But at one time it was really inspiring. Just like this dessert! Really nice – thanks.
I would be sitting next to the oven waiting for whatever it was you were baking to come out. I love this recipe Lizzy! It would be perfect for us. Thanks for sharing:)
Liz, sounds so much like our home. Anything baking, the boys are hovering around the kitchen. If it is chocolate, don’t even ask…We love a warm chocolate pot.
Lol, I always ban family members from the kitchen while I’m baking ;). Love everything about your cheesecake!
I know what you mean – if anyone is making something with chocolate, my nose picks up on it. I love that scent, and I am pretty sure a warm chocolate cheesecake would be dessert perfection!
Yummy in my tummy good. I love chocolate! Thanks for stopping by.
These are far too easy and I’m afraid I’ll be making them all of the time!
Liz, I seriously want to dig right on in to that bowl of velvety chocolate. Yum!
You mean I have to wait until it cools slightly to eat it? Okay if I have to!
I’m not sure that one of those little ramekins would be enough – this looks delectable!
These look so yummy. I have to go buy some ramekins so I can make them.
oh my this looks and sounds wonderful!!
And all 4 ramekins would be mine – all mine!! Oh the glorious warm, silky, chocolate!!!
I’m in heaven right now, Liz. As I sit here drinking my second cup of Sunday morning coffee, I wonder to myself how delicately delicious it would be to have just a smidgen of your Warm Chocolate Cheesecake by my side.
Thank you so much for sharing…
I almost made this myself! Now that it got your approval, I can’t wait to give it a try. Incredible!
This as usual looks marvelous! I live 40 minutes from this and cant join them same day as our inventory which is mandatory. Actually I will never be able to go if its ever in the month of July (sigh) so we get to be disappointed together! I just love this little individual dessert it wouldn’t last a second in my family either!
You paint such a heartwarming picture of your family, Liz. In Japanese there is the word, “nigiyaka” – it refers to cheery, busy people/crowds kind of sounds…I’m sure there were plenty of positive expressions of your scrumptious chocolate cheesecake =)
Oh my God, Lizzy! I think I can easily eat all four ramekins worth of your chocolate cheesecake. I know that is a naughty thing to do 🙂
Warm and chocolate are two of my favorite words. I am not a big sweet eater but somehow anything with warm chocolate is hard to resist. Add cream cheese and I am definitely in. Just luscious, Liz!
I love that it doesn’t have a crust! I used to watch Sara too! Back in the good old days when Food Network actually taught people about cooking, now it’s just all about eating:@)
Warm chocolate cheesecake sounds so good! I must make this!
I love a good cheesecake! This chocolate version looks simple and delicious!
A girl after my own stomach er heart 😉 I haven’t had this kind of cheesecake before – it sure looks scrumptious !
Oh my goodness, that looks crazy good Liz! And it sounds easy to make too. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us. 🙂