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These decadent, make-ahead, no-bake Irish Chocolate Cheesecake Jars are perfect for parties, picnics, potlucks - take them anywhere, they're portable!
We couldn't let St. Patrick's Day slip by without a nod to the great patron saint of Ireland. And what could be better than to salute the Emerald Isle's grand celebration with Irish Chocolate Cheesecake!
I tossed around a few ideas for St. Patrick's and decided on a creamy chocolate cheesecake that would include a splash of Irish whiskey. These Irish Chocolate Cheesecakes are perfect for a crowd as they can be made ahead in individual size servings using small bowls, ramekins or jelly jars. That makes dessert super simple as everyone can serve themselves.
I adapted this recipe from a favorite Irish cookbook, Irish Pub Cooking. It's chocked full of delicious Irish recipes and this one's no exception. It's rich and creamy with a no-bake Oreo crust which makes it easy to put together.
I decided to throw the chocolate mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large decorating tip (1M) and pipe it into the little jars for a pretty presentation. You can also spoon it the jars. There are lots of ways to garnish the delicious mini cheesecakes - tiny chocolate chips, Oreo crumbs, fresh berries or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
If you're hearing a funny sound in the background as you read this post, it's probably the sound of my refrigerator calling me. It's been trying diligently to coerce me into sampling one of these Irish Chocolate Cheesecakes. I've been trying really hard to resist, but I think perhaps my resolve is weakening. I know you'll totally understand once you take the first wonderful little taste of this delicious dessert!
Café Tips for making this Irish Chocolate Cheesecake
- Be sure to let the cream cheese soften at room temperature before making this cheesecake otherwise the dessert will be lumpy. If you're in a hurry, just microwave the cream cheese on low power (10%) for about a minute or until soft.
- If you prefer, this Irish Chocolate Cheesecake can also be made in a 9-inch springform pan. Just make sure it's refrigerated for a few hours before serving. It's important that it sets well before being sliced.
- Don't want to use alcohol? Skip it. The dessert will still be delicious. Serve it on its own or with fresh strawberries, raspberries, Easy Raspberry Coulis or a drizzle of Real Deal Microwave Caramel Sauce.
- In addition to small jelly jars, this Irish Chocolate Cheesecake could be served in small ramekins, pretty cocktail glasses or these small Weck jars (my favorites).
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Irish Chocolate Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 1 14- ounce package chocolate sandwich cookies, like Oreos
- 2 ounces butter
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 16 ounces good quality semisweet chocolate chips
- 12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons Irish whiskey
Instructions
- Place chocolate chips in a medium-size microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute and stir. Return to microwave for another 30 seconds and stir until completely smooth. If there are still a few chocolate lumps, return to microwave for 10 seconds and stir again. The mixture should be really smooth. Set aside to cool while preparing the crust and whipped cream.
- Place Oreos in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until coarse crumbs form. Add melted butter and process again until well blended.
- Place 16 4-ounce jelly jars or ramekins on a sheet pan. Divide crumb mixture equally, about 2 tablespoons in each jar. Reserve a small amount, if desired for garnish. With the bottom of a small flat bottom glass, gently tamp crumb mixture in the bottom each jar to create a smooth, even crust.
- Whip cream until soft peaks form. This can be done with a mixer, a whisk or with this method. Refrigerate whipped cream till ready to use.
- Place cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add cooled chocolate and beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, stopping once or twice to scrape down sides of the bowl. Add Irish whiskey and beat a little longer till well incorporated.
- Remove bowl from mixer. Use a large spatula fold prepared whipped cream into chocolate cream cheese mixture. Continue to fold the whipped cream in until the mixture doesn't have streaks of cream.
- Scoop mixture into prepared jars. You can also put the mixture into a large piping bag fitted with a large pastry tip of your choice. I used a 1M. An open star tip would also work well. Be sure your tip has a fairly large opening, otherwise, tiny bits of chocolate might clog it.
- Garnish with cookie crumbs, tiny chocolate chips or fresh berries. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight before serving.
Nutrition
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I did a trial run for a half recipe to see if they would bleed through the cardboard muffin cups I have. They did not! Success there, but I do have a question on the crumb base. I detest oreos, so I used chocolate graham crackers. The base turned out just sandy, not held together at all. I'm assuming that's because the Oreos have a creamy filling. Should I just add more melted butter to the graham cracker crumbs? Where it's not baked, I hesitate to add too much butter. Any recommendations would be appreciated, Chris! Other than the base, they were absolutely delicious!
Hi Cat, Thanks for the great review! Regarding your crust question, though we haven't tested this recipe using chocolate graham crackers, you're probably correct that adding just a touch more melted butter would help the base hold together better. One other idea for a fun substitution would be ground up chocolate Teddy Grahams - they have a nice dark chocolate flavor. Hope this turns out well for you, and we'd love to hear if you have success with other crust substitutions!
Thanks, Trish! I'll try the teddy grahams next time 😊
I have so much already prepared cool whip. Can I use this in place of the whipping cream? If so how many cups of the cool whip should I use.
Hi Rondee, I've never tried this with cool whip. I'm afraid you would lose a lot of the fine flavor.
What size Wenke jars do you use for the Irish chocolate cheesecakes? Can be rather confusing. Thank you, Patricia
Hi Patricia, I used 4-ounce jelly jars for this recipe. If I was going to use Weck jars, I would use the 6-ounce size.
RE: Whiskey substitute- Orange juice or the juice from pureed strained raspberries would be good- altho' I lean toward anything orange chocolate : )
Thanks, Jan!
I made the recipe as written in the Irish Pub Cookbook for the first time yesterday: set in 8" springform pan vs. individual servings, and 8 oz semi-sweet, 8 oz milk chocolate, Bailey's as flavoring. (Used gluten-free chocolate cookies for crust). Smash hit and universal requests for the recipe. I LOVE your idea of placing this in single serving jars. BRILLANT! Makes for a very versatile portable (picnic) feast and a great make ahead dessert for our boating weekends!
Thanks, Eva! I love the way the cake looks in the Irish Pub Cookbook too, made in the springform pan but you're right, the jars are a fun and very pretty option too. They're also nice if you're not serving a crowd, as they freeze really nicely!
Can the irish chocolate cheesecakes be frozen and then thawed before serving. I would like to make 3 weeks in advance.
Thanks. Melodee
Hi Melodee, they definitely can! Just give them plenty of time to thaw in the refrigerator.
Can I make it with anything besides Irish Whiskey. I am not a whiskey lover. Looks awesome and plan to make this weekend.
Antoinette, it's fine if you just skip the whiskey (or replace it with Bailey's Irish Cream). It just adds another layer of flavor to the dessert.
16 small 4-ounce jars.
Hi Chris,
I'm wondering how many pint jars can you fill up as shown in the photo of the chocolate cheesecake recipe. 10 or 12? These little desserts would be great for our Christmas dessert. We'll be having 12 guests.
Thanks, love your website.
Yes, it's 12-16. Of course, that depends on the size of your jars.
Hi Linda,
It’s in step 6 that you fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.
RE non- alcoholic: If the alcohol is left out, then there is 3 less tablespoons liquid. What other flavoring could be used?
Hi Jan, I think if you skip it, it will be fine as the cream cheese doesn't really need it. But you could always add a little half and half to give it even more creaminess.
What would be a non alcoholic substitute for Irish whiskey?
Hi Jan, you could just skip the alcohol. It will still be wonderful.
Having your own personal dessert in a jar is so much fun. It seems to bring out the kid in everyone. The cheesecake looks velvety smooth and rich. Hope the party was fun!
This looks just lovely. Beautiful pictures, I can taste it by looking at it 😉 Lots of chocolate from the crust, to the mini chocolate chips. Pinning this one! Thanks for the recipe. Happy St. Pattys Day!
Oh my. Rich, decadent, and so delicious!
Chris, you always have the most beautiful posts and the best recipes. These cheesecakes look terrific! Hope the party was fun. Happy birthday to Emery Kate!
Is irish cream and Irish whiskey the same?? can i use the former in place of the latter?? Many thanks
Hi, That's a great question. Irish Cream is not the same as Irish whiskey. Irish cream has Irish whiskey in it but also coffee, cream and some type of sweetener. It would work well though as a substitute. I've made this with Irish Cream and it is delicious! Either one is fine.
Oh goodness, this cheesecake looks amazing and oh so chocolate! Definitely going to be trying this!
hi chris, this sounds wonderful and easy to put together....i'm sure this makes a terrific dessert at the party!
I thought I was the only one who could hear and understand 'refrigerator language'. Mine calls me all the time. Too often, I listen and obey.
Your Irish chocolate cheesecakes are beautiful and they would be welcome at my house anytime. 🙂
Hi Chris, Your dessert is just plain luscious looking! Not only perfect for St. Paddy’s Day, but anytime you need a beautiful chocolatey dessert! Love your presentation!!
What a delicious cheesecake, so perfect for St. Patty's!
I can't take my eyes off this vision of chocolatey heaven! I'm so excited because a friend actually just gave me that very cookbook, and I haven't looked through it yet, now I can't wait!
These are simply spectacular, Chris! You always make such fun party food for your grandchildren's birthdays and I hope Emery Kate gets to try a cheesecake! She'll be a chocolate lover for life 🙂
Dear Chris, I am thinking about you today as you are having the wonderful birthday party for your very cute grandchild! And these Irish chocolate cheesecakes look like a very decadent and delicious treat! Just wonderful for St. Patrick´s Day or any other celebration!
Have a great party and a wonderful weekend!
wow this looks luscious and beautiful, Chris.
Have a lovely weekend!
Angie
Lovely! I could sit down and eat one if I wasn't trying to behave myself! I have pinned this one!!
Of course you pulled out that 1M decorating ip for my benefit. Thank you very much. I can see this dessert in a red wine goblet or brandy snifter as a very elegant finish to a lovely dinner party. That's my take on this beautifully simple dessert. Of course I would need to buy a bottle of Irish Whiskey. Michael always had a bottle of Redbreast hanging around because his wife (that would be me) liked an Irish Coffee every so often. But I got rid of our liquor when I moved (darn!) so am slowly replenishing the stock. I think this would be just as delicious without the whiskey, however.
A cheesecake like this is always welcome Chris^^ Nice pictures! Have a great WK^^
Delicious.. Chris you have very beautiful pictures:)
Oh...what a beautiful dessert, Chris! I think I may make these for our monthly luncheon next Thursday. Who doesn't like chocolate!!
They sound great and look so pretty! Have fun at the party:@)
Chris, would one "airplane" bottle of whiskey be enough? Thanks
Hi Anne. I think that would probably be just perfect.
My resolve would have weakened a whole lot before getting to the end of writing that post, my friend. In fact, there's a good chance that there would be a pile of empty, dirty jelly jars sitting next to my keyboard. Those cheesecakes look delicious and serving them in jelly jars is an absolutely brilliant idea.
what kind of butter do you use? Salted or unsalted?
Hi Leanne, I used salted butter but honestly, I think either would work.
Hope you have a wonderful party Chris! These look delicious and I am sure will be loved by all who are lucky enough to get one! Happy weekend 🙂
Hummm, Yummy and very nice pics!
Chantal
What an adorable dessert!
Gorgeous, Chris! I'm loving the splash of Irish whiskey and chocolate cheesecake combo for St. Patty's Day! Beautiful styling and photography. So inviting! Thank you for sharing and have a lovely party on Saturday. 🙂 Pinning!