Weigh out the ingredients
I
For the shortbread crust, you'll need butter, powdered sugar, flour, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt.
Weigh out the ingredients
II
For the chocolate orange cheesecake, you'll need cream cheese, sour cream, chocolate, sugar, oranges, eggs, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt.
In a medium bowl, add butter and cream until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat for 2 more minutes. Lastly, add the flour and cocoa powders and mix on low speed until fully combined.
Make the shortbread
III
Portion the dough between the mini cheesecake pan. Press dough into an even layer and up against the sides. Chill for at least 20 minutes, dock the dough, then bake for about 12 min. Remove from the oven, gently press them back down, and cool completely.
Chill & bake crust
IV
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the sugar, orange zest, and salt. Rub them together with your fingers until it resembles wet sand and smells aromatic.
Combine dry ingredients
V
Add the cream cheese and sour cream, and beat on low speed until fully combined and smooth. While mixing on low speed, add the eggs one at a time, allowing each to fully incorporate into the mixture before adding another.
Mix in wet ingredients
VI
Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, then add in the melted chocolate, orange juice, vanilla, and sifted cocoa powder. Mix on low speed until fully combined. Scrape down the bowl again to ensure everything is properly combined.
Add chocolate & orange
VII
Portion the batter in the mini cheesecake pan. Bake in water bath for 25-30 min. Turn oven off, crack oven door, and leave cheesecakes for 30 min. Let cheesecakes cool at room temperature, then chill overnight in the fridge.
Bake cheesecakes
VIII
Make ganache over the stove, using a small rubber spatula to gently stir until homogeneous. Spoon the ganache onto each mini cheesecake, allowing some to drip down the sides. Top with orange slices and enjoy!
Make ganache & decorate
iX