Brownie Cheesecake Tarts

January was one busy month. Holiday blues, a series of flu attacks, guests, and then daughter's birthday. The month seemed too short to fit in all the work. Now that it is over I almost feel jobless!! Nevertheless, the cooking classes are starting this week and I am looking forward to a new series even more successful than the previous one. Coming back to daughter's birthday, I decided this time to do the food myself and among other things, this cheesecake tart was the star of the entire spread and turned out awesomely delicious. If you want to step out of the regular cheesecake fad, then this is a must!

Ingredients 

For the tarts

300 gms plain flour

150 gms cold butter, cut into cubes

Pinch of salt

1 egg (optional)

2-3 tbsp ice cold water for kneading (reduce quantity if using egg)

For the brownie

140 gms dark chocolate 

1/4 cup butter softened 

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup plain flour 

2-3 tbsp milk 

For the cheesecake 

250 gms (1 package) Creamcheese at room temperature 

2 tbsp icing sugar

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/2 cup strawberry compote or sauce 

Direction 

Step 1: Making the tarts

Measure out the flour and butter and add the salt. Now keep the bowl in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to chill. Once done, take the bowl out and using your fingers or the dough hook of your stand mixer, start breaking the butter cubes with the flour till the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. 

Now add the egg and mix. If not using egg, add the ice cold water 1 tbsp at a time till the dough just comes together. Do not make it wet. The dough should just hold together. If using egg, reduce the quantity of water to just about as much required to hold the dough together. 

Now you can divide the dough equally into as many portions you require and tightly cling wrap it and freeze it if not using in the next couple of days or put in the refrigerator to chill until the next step. You can skip the dividing part and freeze/chill the dough as such tightly wrapped in cling wrap. Remember to slightly bring it to room temperature (not completely soft) whenever you are ready to use them. 

Once the dough is chilled at least for 30 minutes, prepare your tart cases and start rolling the dough placed between two sheets of cling wrap. Carefully place the rolled out dough on the prepared tart cases and continue for the rest of the dough. If making a single tart, simply place the rolled out dough on the tart pan and ensure that the dough reaches until the edge of the tart case. Prick the base and sides with a fork and place a parchment paper filled with pie weights or raw beans. 

Preheat the oven at 170 degree celcius and bake the tarts for 12-15 minutes until the sides are golden. Now quickly remove the weights along with the paper. You may at this point choose to brush the base with an egg so as to avoid a soggy base later. You can skip the egg wash though if you are a vegetarian. Now put back the tarts in the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the base is golden. Remove from oven and let them cool. 

Step 2: Preparing the brownies 

In a bowl melt the chocolate and the butter either in the microwave or on a double boiler. Stir in between to avoid the chocolate getting burnt. Now to this add the sugar and the egg and whisk until smooth. Next add the flour and mix. The mixture will be quite thick at this point. Add 2-3 tbsp milk at room temperature depending on how fudgy or cakey you like your brownies. 

Spread out the brownie batter on the single baked tart case or spoon out 1 tbsp of the batter onto the baked individual tarts and even out the top. The brownies will rise while baking. So it is important that you do not fill too much else there will be no space left for the cheesecake topping. 

Bake in the preheated oven at 175 degree celcius until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

Remove from oven and let cool until the next step. 

Step 3: Preparing the cheesecake topping 

In a bowl, take the cream cheese and beat till smooth. Now add the whipping cream and beat till smooth and incorporated. You do not need to beat them to soft peaks but well beaten and smooth. Now add powdered sugar as per taste and whip further. Keep aside and prepare for assembling. 

Step 4: Assembly 

Spoon out the cheesecake topping equally among all the brownie tarts or the single brownie tart and even out the top. Now with a spoon, scoop a small portion of strawberry (or any topping of your choice) compote or sauce on top of each tart and with a toothpick make swirls on top. Chill the tarts until served and enjoy!!