Experience the rich and indulgent taste of Italy with our Italian Cream Cheese Cakes. These miniature delights are bursting with traditional Italian flavors, featuring cream cheese, espresso, and a touch of cocoa, all wrapped in a bite-sized package.
Ingredients:
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Espresso Batter:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder or strong brewed coffee, cooled
Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it.
2. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Set aside.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In another bowl, combine the water, vegetable oil, white vinegar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and espresso powder (or cooled brewed coffee).
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, stirring until smooth.
6. Fill Muffin Tins:
- Spoon a small amount of the chocolate espresso batter into the bottom of each muffin cup, filling them about one-third full.
7. Add Cream Cheese Filling:
- Drop a small dollop of the cream cheese filling into each muffin cup on top of the chocolate batter.
8. Top with More Batter:
- Cover the cream cheese filling with more chocolate espresso batter, filling the cups about two-thirds full.
9. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean.
10. Cool and Enjoy:
- Allow the Italian Cream Cheese Cakes to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, these mini delights are ready to be enjoyed. Buon appetito!
With our Italian Cream Cheese Cakes, you can taste the rich and decadent flavors of Italy. These miniature delights are a delectable combination of cream cheese, espresso, and cocoa in a bite-sized package. These Italian-inspired cakes are ideal for a sweet treat or as an addition to your dessert spread, transporting your taste buds to the heart of Italy with each luscious bite.