By Debbie Gregory.

Here is another wonderful holiday recipe for Hot Cocoa Cheesecake Minis.   These are a simple no fail mini cheesecake that anyone can make.  You might even be inclined to add a splash of Irish Cream liqueur too or skip it if you are making for children.  Please let us know if you enjoyed this and send us your favorites.

Ingredients:

• 10 Oreo (or other chocolate sandwich) cookies, crushed finely in a food processor
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 pkg (8 ounces each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened at room temperature for 20 minutes
• 1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup plus 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
• 1/4 cup Bailey’s Original Irish Cream Liqueur (optional if no children)
• 2 large eggs

For Decorating: 

• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate(for the chocolate handles
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F with a rack in the center position. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners and set aside.
2. Combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter; press onto bottoms of 12 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake for 8 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
3. Beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup cocoa powder in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand-held mixer) until blended. Mix in the Bailey’s Irish Cream, if using. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Do not over mix. Distribute the batter evenly among the cookie crust cups.
4. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the centers are almost set. Place on a rack and cool completely. Refrigerate for two hours.
5. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave using 30 seconds intervals, stirring with a spatula after each interval. Spoon the chocolate into a resealable Ziploc bag. Cut a very small piece off one bottom corner of the bag; pipe the chocolate into 12 small ‘C’ shapes, resembling cup handles, onto the lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid and ready to use.
6. Remove the liners from the cheesecakes. Beat the cream and remaining teaspoon of sugar in a separate medium bowl with a mixer on high speed until soft peaks form; spoon onto the cheesecakes. Dust with remaining cocoa powder; top with marshmallows. Gently press the chocolate handles into the side of each cheesecake.

A few words of wisdom on this recipe:

• You can top with a dollop of whipped cream , mini marshmallows and a light dusting of cocoa powder to make them festive – when in doubt add a topping
• You will need to set aside 2 hours for chilling in the fridge but the actual assemble and bake time is less than one hour
• Bring your cream cheese to room temperature by leaving it out for 20 minutes or so on the counter before mixing
• Before you add the eggs, beat the cream cheese and sugar until there are not any lumps
• Add your eggs slowly and mix just until combined being careful not to over mix
• You can make a lower fat version substitute low fat cream cheese with it being softer

ENJOY!

By Debbie Gregory.

This Monday, November 11^th we celebrate Veteran’s Day.  I am the proud daughter of a Veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice and served with seven of his brothers.

I believe that the word “Veteran” needs to be expanded to celebrate all the men and women who serve, past and present, every day of the year in all the uniformed services.  They make incredible sacrifices so that the rest of us can live and prosper.   They are true patriots and write a blank check up to and including their lives.

Those that sacrifice so much include every man and woman who has served or is serving in our Armed Forces and Uniformed Services.  These include members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps.  Our United States military men and women operate in more than 10 countries too.

We must also honor our citizen soldiers who serve in the United States National Guard and Reserves and deserve to be honored as much as our active duty and Veterans.

Many people don’t know that those who serve in the National Guard and Reserves can and do dual duty.  They usually work in a civilian job and can be called upon in their home states, but they are also activated and deployed overseas to the Middle East and other countries.

A huge percentage of our currently deployed military are members of the National Guard and Reserves.   These citizen soldiers and their loved ones don’t have the full support system that is provided to regular military stationed on military bases.   Being citizen soldiers, they also face huge financial challenges to serve and are often underemployed.

On this Veterans’ Day, we need to include everyone and think of ways we can do better by them.   Many are not receiving proper healthcare or must wait too long for it.  Wellness, especially mental wellness, must be a priority especially with so many Veterans committing suicide.  One size does not fit all when it comes to solutions.  We need to work together to find solutions for everyone and dedicate ourselves to those doing more for who have sacrificed so much for us.

On Monday, November 11th and every day, think of doing a small random act of kindness that can make a huge difference.  It can be as simple as volunteering at a Veterans home or doing some “honey do” things for the spouses of deployed Veterans or helping coach or tutor their kids.  It might involve donating money or goods to a Veteran charity, driving a Veteran, or just telling a cashier that you want to pick up a Veteran’s tab.    We are losing almost 2,000 Veterans a day from “the Greatest Generation” and preserving and listening to their stories and memories is part of our history.  You might find that supporting those who serve enriches your life too.

Be there for those who serve and have served because they are and have been there for all of us.  Never forget them and remember, there is more that unites us as Americans than divides us.

Debbie Gregory

CEO – VAMBOA, Veteran and Military Business Owners Association

Vice-President & Producer, “America Salutes You”, a nationally televised annual concert

Director of Employer Engagement, California ESGR