Brownie Bites with Dark-Chocolate Salted Ganache and Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries
Calling all chocolate lovers! These Brownie Bites will own your heart and cause your beloved to swoon. With just three components that come together super fast and easily, you'll be serving these brownie bites for dinner parties and gatherings that need a perfect (sweet!) finale.
1Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix, made according to package directions, substituting brewed coffee for the water
Chocolate Ganache
16oz.semi-sweet good-quality chocolate morsels
2cupsheavy whipping cream
kosher salt, for sprinkling over the ganache when you assemble the dessert
Cheesecake Filling and Strawberries
16oz.cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2tsp.vanilla extract
1/2 - 1 tsp. orange zest, to taste
18large strawberries, an “X” cut into the pointed tip of each one, stems removed, with the large end of each strawberry cut flat so they can sit upside down without toppling over
Instructions
To Prepare the Brownie Bites
Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray. Place 2 tablespoons of the prepared brownie batter into each of the sprayed cups. Bake the brownie bites for 12-15 minutes on the center rack of the oven, until just set; remove from the oven. Remove the brownie bites from the muffin tin to a cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining brownie batter. You should have 18-20 brownie bites when finished.
To Prepare the Chocolate Ganache
Place the whipping cream into a sauce pan over medium heat; bring the cream to a simmer. Add the chocolate morsels, using a whisk to incorporate the chocolate into the whipping cream, whisking until smooth. Remove the prepared ganache from the heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes. (If you prefer to make the chocolate ganache to use as a "frosting”, allow the ganache to cool completely.)
To Prepare Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries
Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until well combined; fold in the orange zest. Spoon the prepared cream cheese mixture into a pastry bag that has been fitted with a large star tip.
Assembly
To assemble the brownie bites, place a each one onto a dessert plate; drizzle with the warm ganache, sprinkling the ganache with a tiny bit of kosher salt. Using the pastry bag, insert the tip into the “X” that been cut into the strawberry tip, filling it with a bit of the cream cheese mixture. Place the filled strawberry onto the ganache-covered brownie bite. Serve at once.