Nutella and Raspberry Cheesecake in Jars

 

 These nearly never happened! Well they did...but they nearly never made it to the blog! I taught a class at a church activity day a few weeks back on how to make cheesecakes in jars! So I made several practice ones in the run up to the class, and then even made several on the day during the class for people who hadn't been able to attend! There were several different classes running with sign up sheets, and my class got filled up within the first 5 minutes of the day so lots of my friends never got the chance to attend! I ended up with lots of jars left over too so last week I made more for some friends and neighbours who were having a tough time, and still I kept glancing at my camera knowing I should snap some pics...but I didn't!

So eventually yesterday I had a tiny bit of cheesecake mix left in the fridge...and I knew what had to be done! I whipped up this little bad boy, photographed it just for you - and even got the flashgun out and everything! I'm trying hard to make it up to you after neglecting you all for so long! and then I devoured it for my lunch, whoops!

 The thing I love about cheesecakes in jars is they are SO versatile! You can mix and match fillings and flavours and just go crazy!

During the class I did, I had TONS of ingredients for people to mix and match with.  There were mini meringues, shortbread chunks and fresh strawberries to layer with vanilla cheesecake for the fruit lovers.  There were snickers, dulce de leche and mini millionaire's pieces for the caramel lovers, and brownie chunks and crushed oreos to layer with nutella swirled cheesecake for all the chocoholics!

The nutella flavoured cheesecake was my fave so I went with it this time around...because who doesn't love nutella?! It's my FAVE! I just used a small amount to give it a hint of chocolate hazelnut-ness so as not to overpower the cheesecake filling.  The fresh raspberries add sweeteness and it all pairs beautifully with an oreo base!

Go find a jar, fill it with cheesecake goodness and give it to someone you love - I promise you they will love you forever for doing so, or eat it for your lunch and I won't tell ;)

Nutella and Raspberry Cheesecake in Jars:

Makes 5

From Cupcake Crazy Gem

 15 Oreos, crushed into crumbs

5 tsp unsalted butter, melted

300g Philadelphia cream cheese (I've said it once...don't scrimp with the cheap stuff!)

275ml double cream, whipped

100g icing sugar

3 heaped tsp Nutella

Punnet of fresh raspberries

Handful of milk chocolate chips

Crush your Oreos using a blender until they have blitzed into crumbs.  Stir in the melted butter until the mixture comes together.  Add 4 tsp of oreo mix into the bottom of each jar.  Press it down with the base of your spoon, you may need to use your fingers for the middle of the base, depending on how small your jars are you are using.

Using a freestanding electric mixer, whisk the double cream until peaks form.  Change to a beater, and add in the cream cheese.  Mix until it is combined.  Sieve in the icing sugar and continue to mix.  Add in the Nutella and keep beating for 2-3 minutes until everything is completely blended together.

Transfer your cheesecake mix into a piping bag fitted with a star tip.  You can spoon it in but it makes your layers less defined and not as neat so I found the piping bag was the best way to make it more presentable! Pipe a layer of cheesecake starting from the outside of the jar, finishing off in the middle.  Using paper towel, dab some of the moisture out of your raspberries.  Add as many fresh raspberries as needed to cover the whole layer.  Repeat with a layer of cheesecake, and then another layer of raspberries again.

Finish off, with one final layer of cheesecake.  Top with a raspberry and a sprinkling of milk chocolate chips. 

You can also go crazy with ribbons and tags and patterned paper to decorate your lid and jars if you are giving them as gifts! or grab a teaspoon and eat and enjoy :)