Chocolate and pumpkin join forces in mini cheesecakes. Try these Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecakes this year for a change of pace at your Thanksgiving dessert table.
As we head into one of the busiest seasons of the year, I wanted to just remind us to stop and be thankful for all the things that God has allowed in our lives. Sometimes it is easy to focus on all the negative and bad that we see happening and not to see all the good that we actually have.
I want to remember to be content with the things that are in my life. I want to be thankful for the good and the bad. Does that mean I am joyful and a delight to be around all the time? No way. I have my bad moments/days/weeks too. I have to make it a point daily to be happy in the things God has placed me through.
I want us to remember to enjoy our lives just how they are. It is ok to slow down and relax even when life gets busy. It is ok to celebrate even the littlest things that happen from day to day. Yes, even those terrible, no good, rotten days. Celebrate that you made it through in one piece. Celebrate that you handled it all with grace and patience.
Now I do realize that we all have “junk” in our lives, but I believe that it is all in how we choose to handle those things. Do we choose joy over irritation in every situation we encounter? Most of what I share on here is happy little stories that happen from day to day. I want this to be a happy place where you can come and get a smile. Just remember that I am choosing to not share all those personal struggles online. Occasionally I may share those because I do want you to know that I am a real person, with a real temper and a real bad attitude too. My family could definitely tell you some stories I’m sure.
This week (and all year really) let’s remember to be thankful no matter what. Things can always be worse than what they actually are. We have so much to be grateful for, and I hope that we can join each other in sharing those things that make us better. Yes, even those bad things make us stronger.
Now on to the sweet treats! That’s a sure way to make you smile huh?
I told you I wasn’t done with pumpkin goodies just yet. I got all the pumpkin baking out of my system early, and had to pace myself at sharing them here. Now that I haven’t had pumpkin treats in my house for a while, I am so excited for Thanksgiving this week.
I will definitely be hitting that dessert table first thing. Pumpkin pie, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Pie…here I come!!!
Have you noticed that I have a real thing for cheesecake? I will take a cheesecake treat in any form possible. These little cheesecake cups are so easy to make, and I love that they bake much faster than a large full size cheesecake.
These little guys start with a chocolate cookie crust. Then a chocolate cheesecake layer and a pumpkin layer get baked on top of that. Yes, I’m sure you have started to notice I have a thing for baking in layers too.
Then to give it some fall flair, I piped cream cheese Cool Whip frosting on each one and topped them with fall colored Sixlets. I have always loved these fun colored chocolate balls…especially now that you can get them in all the holiday colors.
All I can say is thank goodness for treadmills and weights…I think I’m going to need them more than ever after this week.
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Chocolate and pumpkin cheesecake layered on a chocolate cookie crust for a fun new holiday dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 Oreo cookie crumbs
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 Tablespoon sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon shortening
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 Tablespoon sour cream
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- Cool Whip
- Sixlets
Instructions
- Combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter. Use a food processor to pulse the entire cookie (cookie and cream) to get your crumbs, or crush them in a ziplock bag. Divide the cookie mixture into 18 regular cupcake liners. Press down. Set aside.
- Combine 1 cream cheese and 1/4 sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat until creamy. Add the egg, sour cream, and vanilla and beat again.
- Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat. Stir again and add to the cheesecake batter in the bowl. Beat until thoroughly combined. Divide the chocolate batter into the cupcake liners. Set aside.
- Place a cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar in another mixing bowl. Beat until creamy. Add the egg, sour cream, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and flour. Beat again. Carefully spoon the pumpkin batter over the chocolate batter.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 24-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. Carefully remove from the cupcake tin and cool on a wire rack for an hour. Refrigerate until chilled. Top with Cool Whip and Sixlets before serving. Keep refrigerated in a sealed container. Makes 18 mini cheesecakes.
Notes
*If you need this dessert to be gluten free, feel free to substitute gluten free cookies and to leave the flour out of the pumpkin layer. The flour just keeps the centers from falling too much after baking.
Other delicious pumpkin treats that would be perfect for Thanksgiving day dessert tables:
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Toffee Angel Food Cake
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
This is a very inspiring post Jocelyn. When we constantly focus on the negative, the problems, and worries in our lives, it robs our joy! Especially during the holidays I sometimes get frustrated with all the things I ‘have’ to do. This season I have decided to make it a point to keep things simpler so I can just spend more time with the family and less time with the ‘business’ of the season. Thanks for the reminder to be thankful and to focus on the positive! These cheesecakes are beautiful by the way!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
That’s awesome! Simpler is better and time with family is always best anyway 🙂
Joann keller says
R they regular cupcakes or the minies
They look regular size!! Please let me know
I don’t think it would fit into a Mimi!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
They are cupcake sized cheesecakes. You could do the minis, but you would have quite a few then.
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
I am inspired by your post. I’ve been doing the month of thanks on my personal facebook account. Sometimes the thanks I give seems so simple, but it is really the simple things that we should be the most thankful for. I’m looking forward to the family time that I will get this week 🙂 These cheesecakes look amazing 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I agree that looking for the simple things each day helps keep the focus! Have fun with your family this week!
Happy Valley Chow says
Oh wow those look absolutely delicious! Fantastic recipe 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you so much!!!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
Thank you for this reminder. This week I will be more mindful of all the blessings in my life. Also, these cheesecakes would be a great addition to the Thanksgiving dessert table.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
You are very welcome. And yes, cheesecakes need to happen for Thanksgiving!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
pumpkin cheesecake is amazing! I bet these are so amazing! Can I come to your Thanksgiving?!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you Julianne and yes, you can definitely come. How fun would that be?!?!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Love this post Jocelyn! Such an important reminder of all that is good and amazing in our lives and making a conscious choice to be thankful and grateful for it each and every day. These cheesecakes are making me feel pretty grateful right now. Grateful for you and all your awesome recipes! Pinned and can’t wait to try this 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I’m glad you enjoyed the post…it was something that I just felt the need to share this week. Definitely an important reminder for us all! And cheesecake always makes me thankful too 🙂 I appreciate your friendship and the pin love!!!!
Tieghan says
These are so fun and delicious, Jocelyn! What a great Thanksgiving dessert!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you Tieghan!
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff says
You said everything so well. We all have good and bad in our lives … it helps to focus on the positive. Love the cheesecake … shared it … pinned it 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I agree 100% with you about focusing on the positive! Thank you for sharing and pinning the cheesecakes.
Jenn says
Your pics are gorgeous!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you so much Jenn 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
What a great reminder Jocelyn to focus on what we need to be thankful for! And these cheesecakes, oh my word I wish I lived next door!! thanks for sharing 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
You have no idea how much I wish we lived closer so we could share all our baking 🙂
Katy says
Sixlets are my favorite chocolate candy! Totally under-utilized. Glad to see you putting them to good use 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
They are an under used candy…I have plans to use them more often 🙂
Julie @ Table for Two says
what a great message! life is so short that you definitely need to stop and smell the roses every once in a while. i could definitely use a lesson or two on slowing down and thinking about what all there is to be thankful for! this cupcake looks SO good!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Yes, slowing down and focusing on the things in life that we have is always a great thing to do 🙂
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar says
Such a great post Jocelyn! I’ve been doing just that recently. It’s so easy to get caught up in the everyday and worry about what’s to come and not appreciate all that God has put in front of us each and every day. On another note – These cheesecakes are adorable! Love the layers! Pinned 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
It is so easy to get caught up when it gets busy, but remember to stop and be thankful puts everything into perspective. Thank you for pinning!!!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
Those sixlets rock! I’m going to have to use those for toppers more often. Haha, I’m a ok with you having a thing for cheesecake … it’s mutual! Especially when it involves chocolate and pumpkin. Yum!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I’m glad I have a fellow cheesecake lover in you! It is definitely one of my first dessert choices to make!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
This has seriously been the worst year ever for me personally. But I have so much to be thankful for. I’m especially grateful to have such a wonderful online community of foodie friends 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Oh, girl, I know this has been such a tough year for you. You have been in my prayers as I have watched you with this unknown sickness. Hopefully they get it figured out and you can enjoy the rest of the year with your family! Keep focusing on those thankful things and you will get through 🙂
Kelly says
What a wonderful post Jocelyn, thank you for the reminder about being grateful for the little things and focusing on the positive 🙂 On the positive side, these pumpkin cheesecakes look incredible! Thanks for sharing this great recipe and hope you have a wonderful week and Thanksgiving!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Focusing on the positive is a great way to remember to be grateful no matter what! Thank you! And have a great Thanksgiving too!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Oh my gosh! I love the layers. So fun!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I have a slight affection for baking with layers 🙂 Thanks girl!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
What an absolutely lovely post, Jocelyn. <3 I agree: life is never perfect, but it's full of amazing things that we should always be grateful for. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to stop being thoughtful as I continue to drool over these cheesecake. 😉
Chels R. says
Mmm! These look great! I love cheesecake too. Grace has requested thats what she wants me to make next year for her B-day cake. Such a planner she is.
Kristen Duke says
Great post!! I always try to remember to be thankful for all the good in my life and this post is a nice reminder as well. These cheesecakes look gorgeous and delicious!!
Lindsey says
I am sorry that I may seem clueless here, but I need clarification on Cream Cheese Cool Whip Frosting. You didn’t expand and I couldn’t find it on your site in a previous post in your search engine. Can you guide me please? Thank you!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
It is a product made by Cool Whip. You can buy it in the freezer section of your grocery store where they sell the Cool Whip 🙂 I hope that helps!
Lindsey says
Thank you!
Kathy says
I was going to be make this dessert tonight but noticed the chocolate layer said cream cheese but didn’t say the quanity to use. Am I right both the pumpkin and chocolate layer each use 1 -8oz package?
Thanks
Jocelyn says
Whoops. It looks like when I updated that recipe, I accidentally deleted the 1. I just went in and fixed it. Thank you so much for letting me know something was wrong. I hope you enjoy the cheesecake cupcakes.