Mini Mulino Bianco Cheesecakes

These cheesecake minis are the perfect Valentine's Day treat. Made with Mulino Bianco Cuoricini and Pan di Stelle Cookies, they have a chocolately cookie crust, with a heart shaped top! Make your Valentine's Day even sweeter with these mini treats.
Serves: 8

For the crust:
 1 bag of Pan di Stelle Cookies
 ½ cup cup walnuts or pecan
 2 tbsp Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For the Cheesecake Filling:
 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
 ¼ cup granulated sugar
 ¼ cup full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
 1 large egg
For the Topping
 8 Mulino Bianco Cuoricini cookies
 1 pt fresh strawberries, rinsed, patted dry and sliced
 Drizzle of Colavita Balsamic Glaze
 Whipped Cream

1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-count muffin pan with 8 liners. You could skip the liners and grease the cups with a little Colavita olive oil, but the liners make for an easy release.

Make the Crust:
2

Combine all of the crust ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until a sandy texture is achieved. Firmly press 2 tablespoons of crust mixture into each liner.

Make the Filling:
3

Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.

4

Add the sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon juice then beat until fully combined.

5

On medium speed, add the egg and beat just until combined. Batter will be thick.

6

Divide the batter between all the liners.

7

Bake at 350°F until the edges are set and the centers only slightly jiggle, about 18-20 minutes.

8

Set the pan on a wire rack and allow cheesecakes to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours and up to 1 day. If chilling for longer than 2 hours, loosely cover the cheesecakes.

To Assemble:
9

Remove the mini cheesecake from its wrapper and place on a dessert plate.

10

Top with sliced strawberries, and place a dollop of whipped cream to one side.

11

Place one Cuoricini into the whipped cream dollop.

12

Drizzle the Colavita Balsamic Glaze over the top.