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    Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving

    Mini Chocolate Cheesecake Turkeys

    Modified: Nov 3, '23 · Published: Nov 7, '14 · By: Beth Klosterboer · Commission earned on paid or sponsored links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Create these decadently rich and creamy Mini Chocolate Cheesecake Turkeys. They will be a great addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table and will make your guests gobble for more.

    Mini chocolate cheesecake turkeys.

    I had so much fun recently making Chocolate Turkey Truffles and  Cheesecake Ghosts that I morphed the two ideas into these Mini Chocolate Cheesecake Turkeys for Thanksgiving.

    I took concepts from both recipes and combined them to make one adorable and decadent chocolate Thanksgiving dessert.

    Each tiny little cheesecake is so lusciously rich that a little goes a long way. They are the perfect size sweet treat to serve after a huge holiday meal.

    chocolate turkey truffles, mini chocolate cheesecake turkeys, and mini cheesecake ghosts.

    It's easy to see the resemblance in these holiday desserts. I tried to keep these cheesecakes simple, as I know how crazy it is to get a Thanksgiving day meal prepared.

    Each miniature chocolate cheesecake is decorated with a graham cracker tail feather, two candy eyes, an orange candy-coated sunflower seed beak, and a red sunflower seed waddle.

    So, let's make some cute Thanksgiving cheesecakes. 

    Chocolate Cheesecake Turkeys | Holiday Recipes by HungryHappenings.com

    Mini Chocolate Cheesecake Turkeys

    Ingredients

    • heavy whipping cream - You'll use this to make chocolate ganache that gets mixed into the cheesecake filling.
    • semi-sweet chocolate - This will add a delicious chocolate flavor to your cheesecakes. You can use chocolate chips but be sure to use chocolate that you love to eat right out of the package.
    • cream cheese - Use full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture.
    • granulated sugar
    • eggs
    • vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
    • candy eyes
    • orange and red candy-coated sunflower seeds
    • graham crackers

    Supplies

    • 3  Wilton Brownie Pop Silicone Molds
    • 1 fluted biscuit cutter

    You can find supplies needed to create this recipe on Amazon. I earn a small commission when you use the sales links in this post to make a purchase at no extra cost to you.

    Wilton Brownie Pops Silicon...Shop on Amazon ⅜" White And Black Icing ...Shop on Amazon  Red Sunbursts Chocolate Cov...Shop on Amazon

    Instructions

    chocolate ganache in a clear bowl

    Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter the cavities in your molds.

    Heat heavy whipping cream and chocolate on high in the microwave for 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.

    Cheesecake Recipe using Eggland's Best Eggs

    Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.

    Add the eggs, one at a time until well incorporated.

    pouring chocolate ganache into the cheesecake filling.

    Add the vanilla then pour in the chocolate and beat just until combined.

    making egg-shaped mini chocolate cheesecakes in a brownie pops mold.

    Set the silicone molds on a baking sheet. Pour the chocolate cheesecake filling into the molds.

    Bake for 22 minutes, then turn the oven off, open the oven door, and allow the cheesecake to remain in the oven for 10 minutes or until they look set.

    Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely.

    un-mold the frozen chocolate cheesecakes.

    Pop them in the freezer for at least 4 hours. I tried to remove one too soon and tore it apart. I stuck it back in and removed it later when they were frozen solid.

    Once removed, put them on small individual serving dishes and allow them to thaw. I used plastic appetizer plates that I got at a party supply store.

    Once the cheesecakes thaw they will be hard to move. If you can't find small plates, you can place each cake on a small round cookie or cut rounds from graham crackers.

    At this point, you can store the cheesecakes in the refrigerator for up to five days or put b in the freezer.

    Cut Graham Crackers using a fluted Cookie Cutter

    To make the turkey's feathers, use a fluted biscuit cutter and simply press down onto the graham cracker and they will cut.

    Cut out about ¾ of the circle.

    decorating mini Chocolate Cheesecake Turkeys with graham cracker tail feathers, candy eyes, and candy-coated sunflower seeds.

    When you are ready to decorate, press one tail feather onto the back of each cheesecake then add two candy eyes, one orange sunflower seed beak, and one red sunflower seed waddle.

    Do not decorate frozen cheesecakes.

    a row of three Chocolate Cheesecake Turkeys served on small square plates.

    You can decorate your cheesecake turkeys up to a few hours before serving. Keep refrigerated.

    Set them out at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving to intensify the chocolate flavor.

    Storage

    Cheesecake made with really fresh ingredients will keep well in the freezer for several months or in the refrigerator for 5 days. So you have plenty of time before Thanksgiving to get some of these made. Just thaw the cheesecakes in the refrigerator the day before you want to serve them, and decorate them that day.

    I actually did an experiment and decorated these and kept them refrigerated for 4 hours. They looked perfect when they came out.

    So, you can get these ready ahead of time and set them out for dessert.

    Related Recipes

    If you enjoy making these cute turkey-shaped cheesecakes, you might also like to make these other turkey-themed dessert recipes for Thanksgiving.

    milk chocolate turkey candy cup filled with pumpkin mousse

    Chocolate Turkey Cups

    Thanksgiving ice cream turkeys made with easy banana cocoa no-churn ice cream.

    Ice Cream Turkeys

    chocolate-dipped rice krispie treat turkeys on lollipop sticks.

    Chocolate Rice Krispies Treat Turkey Pops

    turkey cake filled with toasted cake cube stuffing

    Roasted Turkey Cake

    Be sure to check out all of my amazing Thanksgiving Recipes.

    Recipe

    Mini chocolate cheesecake turkeys.
    Print
    Mini Chocolate Cheesecake Turkeys
    Prep Time
    45 mins
    Cook Time
    22 mins
     

    Mini chocolate cheesecakes are decorated to look like Turkeys using graham crackers, orange candy-coated sunflower seeds, and candy eyes.

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cheesecake, chocolate, thanksgiving dessert, turkeys
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 165 kcal
    Author: Beth Klosterboer
    Ingredients
    • butter, to coat the inside of your molds
    • ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream
    • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
    • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (do not use low fat or no-fat cream cheese)
    • ⅔ cup sugar
    • 2 large Eggland's Best Eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
    • 48 candy eyes
    • 24 orange candy-coated sunflower seeds
    • 24 red candy-coated sunflower seeds
    • 12-16 whole graham cracker rectangles
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter the cavities in your molds.
    2. Heat heavy whipping cream and chocolate on high in the microwave for 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted.
    3. Set aside to cool slightly.
    4. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
    5. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
    6. Add Eggland's Best Eggs, one at a time until well incorporated.
    7. Add the vanilla then pour in the chocolate and beat just until combined.
    8. Set the silicone molds on a baking sheet. Pour the chocolate cheesecake filling into the molds.
    9. Bake for 22 minutes, then turn the oven off, open the oven door, and allow the cheesecake to remain in the oven for 10 minutes or until they look set.
    10. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
    11. Pop them in the freezer for at least 4 hours.
    12. Once frozen, un-mold them by pulling back on the silicone mold and pushing the cheesecake out.
    13. Put them on small individual serving dishes and allow them to thaw.
    14. At this point, you can store the cheesecakes in the refrigerator for up to five days or put them back in the freezer.
    15. To make the turkey's feathers, use a fluted biscuit cutter and simply press down onto the graham cracker and they will cut. Cut out about ¾ of the circle.
    16. When you are ready to decorate, press one tail feather onto the back of each cheesecake then add two candy eyes, one orange sunflower seed beak, and one red sunflower seed waddle. Do not decorate frozen cheesecakes.
    17. You can decorate your cheesecake turkeys a few hours before serving.
    18. Keep refrigerated.
    19. Set them out at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving to intensify the chocolate flavor.
    Recipe Notes

    Store the chocolate cheesecake turkeys in the refrigerator until the day you plan to serve them. You can decorate them up to a few hours prior to serving and keep them in the refrigerator. 

    Set them out 15-60 minutes before serving. 

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Beth Klosterboer
    Beth Klosterboer
    Hi, I'm Beth Klosterboer, a professional chocolatier & baker, cookbook author, and event planner. I love sharing recipes for happy occasions here on Hungry Happenings. I also create easy fudge recipes to share at HowToMakeEasyFudge.com, rice krispie treat recipes at HowToMakeCerealTreats.com, and easy cookie recipes at HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    Beth Klosterboer
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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Annette says

      November 14, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      I prefer plain cheesecake (don't know what flavor you'd call it) with strawberries or cherries on top.

      Reply
    2. Carmen N says

      November 14, 2014 at 6:41 pm

      Vanilla bean. I love to eat cheesecake just by itself (sometimes with fresh fruit)

      Reply
    3. Crissie Clark Woolard says

      November 14, 2014 at 4:29 am

      I LOVE STRAWBERRY!!!!

      Reply
    4. Neiddy Ruiz says

      November 13, 2014 at 9:43 pm

      strawberry cheesecake is my favorite
      Leidy R rafflecopter

      Reply
    5. Kristen says

      November 13, 2014 at 7:59 am

      My favorite is cherry cheesecake.

      Reply
    6. Anonymous says

      November 13, 2014 at 5:08 am

      I love all of the turkey ideas they are soooooo cute

      Reply
    7. Angela says

      November 13, 2014 at 3:15 am

      I like turtle cheesecake

      Reply
    8. LauraJJ says

      November 13, 2014 at 2:49 am

      Oh my favorite is plain cheesecake with strawberries on top!

      Reply
    9. Fiddlin' Dandi says

      November 13, 2014 at 12:53 am

      My favorite is any kind of cheesecake that has chocolate and peanut butter in it.

      Reply
    10. Cuevas77 says

      November 12, 2014 at 1:47 am

      I love Turtle Cheesecake!

      Reply
    11. Sugartown Sweets says

      November 11, 2014 at 6:07 pm

      Yum! Chocolate cheesecake. I've never made one, but you make it look delicious AND cute!

      Reply
    12. sandyhills x says

      November 11, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      My favorite is the chocolate cheesecake flavor - shaunie on rafflecopter

      Reply
    13. ♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ says

      November 11, 2014 at 10:55 am

      I like Pecan Pie cheesecake!
      Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

      Reply
    14. adagherkin says

      November 11, 2014 at 3:47 am

      I like strawberry

      Reply
    15. Vivacious Ramsey says

      November 10, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      i love chocolate...livivua

      Reply
    16. Barbara Bradford says

      November 10, 2014 at 6:32 pm

      My very favorite cheesecake is New York Style with fresh strawberries in a sugar syrup.

      Reply
    17. Madeline B says

      November 10, 2014 at 11:32 am

      I like cheesecake with chocolate or caramel the best!

      Reply
    18. Tammigirl says

      November 10, 2014 at 3:09 am

      My favorite is regular old plain cheesecake. I know, not fancy - but if it's so thick it makes your mouth stick together? I'm in!

      Reply
    19. D Schmidt mummytotwoboys says

      November 10, 2014 at 2:40 am

      I like salted caramel cheesecake

      Reply
    20. Heather Sebastian says

      November 09, 2014 at 9:46 pm

      My favorite is new york cheesecake!

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    Beth Jackson Klosterboer

    Welcome to Hungry Happenings!

    I'm Beth. I've been a professional chocolatier & baker for over 30 years, have written 5 cookbooks, and love creating fun food for holidays and special occasions.

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