No-Bake Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Pots with Pretzel Crunch
By Amanda Paa – Updated January 23, 2021
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Burt’s Bees. The opinions and text are all mine.
There are several things I haven’t mastered in the kitchen yet. Which is one of the reasons I love cooking. It can be easy, or it can be a challenge, no matter how long you’ve been doing it. You choose the adventure depending on your mood, time, motivation, ingredients, etc.
The perfectly baked cheesecake with a glossy, crack-free top, and thick, yet fluffy texture is one of those things I still haven’t gotten right. Mine end up coming out with an earthquake like bolt through the middle, or little bubbles that push up on the surface, like a little gopher trying to bump its head through.
Which is why I’ve thrown in the towel (maybe not forever) and gone the no-bake, dark chocolate cheesecake, salty pretzel crumb way. They’re a cross between rich chocolate mousse, traditional cheesecake, and pots de crème. All good things….
Softly sweet and creamy, rich and lush. And more proof that salt makes any dessert taste better. These little pots have just 8 ingredients, and take less than 10 minutes to make.
There’s also a little secret blended into each whipped spoonful… one of my favorite skincare companies (their colored lip balms and hand salve is always in my purse), Burt’s Bees, just launched a new protein powder collection that just happens to give the best boost to anything from your morning shake to these chocolate cheesecake pots. Their formulas are made with plant-based, non-GMO and 70% organic ingredients, and support the balance of nature and many important efforts to protect our environment. I actually have never seen a powder with this combination of Pea, Rice, Oat, Flax Seed, and Sunflower Seed protein sources. I used the chocolate Healthy Radiance, which has vitamin extracts made from real fruits and vegetables for extra nutrition. It’s also dairy-free, soy-free (which SO many protein powders have soy), and gluten-free.
So maybe I should have named these “Glow Cheesecake Pots” with the extra boost, and antioxidant rich dark chocolate. I mean, enough feel-good-things for me to warrant an extra serving. Hope you love them as much as I do, xo.
No-Bake Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Pots with Pretzel Crunch
Recipe Type: gluten-free
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cold, heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate, melted and cooled (still liquid, but not hot)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons strong coffee
- 1 scoop [url href=”http://amzn.to/2lzdyFj” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”]Burt’s BeesTM Protein + Healthy Radiance – Chocolate[/url]
- pinch of salt
- crushed gluten-free pretzels for topping
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whip cold cream until it holds firm peaks with a hand mixer. In a seperate bowl, whip cream cheese until smooth. Add cream cheese to whipped cream, and mix on low to combine until smooth.
- Add melted dark chocolate, maple syrup, coffee and fold in by hand with a spatula.
- Sprinkle protein powder and salt over the top, stirring to combine. Spoon into cups and top with crushed pretzels. They are ready to eat now, with a mousse texture, or you can refrigerate to make them stiff like cheesecake.
Did you make this?
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February 21, 2017
Valentina @Hortus
March 7, 2017
These sound wonderful! I wish I had access to a decent plant-based protein powder here where I am… and major envy for that super cute copper pot!
thalia
February 25, 2017
all those chocolate shots!! totally drooling right now amanda. i adore this recipe so much, and totally need to make it. plus STUNNING photos Xx
amandapaa
February 25, 2017
you can never enough chocolate desserts, am i right?
Shelly @ Vegetarian 'Ventures
February 24, 2017
Woah – Burts Bees has a protein powder? Yessss plz! Also, salty pretzel + chocolate for a cheesecake sounds SO good!
amandapaa
February 25, 2017
it’s true! i love the chocolate.
Sara @ Cake Over Steak
February 24, 2017
Whooaa so sneaky adding in that protein powder! Love it.
Jennifer Farley
February 24, 2017
For starters, thank you so much for alerting me to the Burt’s Bees protein powders! I love their products and will have to keep an eye out for them in the store. That’s so exciting. Second, I am so with you on the cheesecake. They’re like soufflés in my opinion. When perfect, nothing is better. But it can be such a pain to get it right. While I do try for standard cheesecakes every now and then, more often than not I stick with the no bake versions. They’re fast, lighter and SO GOOD. I love this version.
Kelsey @ Appeasing a Food Geek
February 24, 2017
Love the “glow” feature :) and that pretzel crunch on top makes these babies sound like they’re right up my alley! xoxo
amandapaa
February 24, 2017
my desserts always need that *little* bit of salt. ;)
bella
February 23, 2017
you had me at salty & sweet! plus the fact that these only take 10 minutes…I see these as a late night sweet craving fulfillment in the very near future!
amandapaa
February 24, 2017
yes! as i said, so quick to make that it’s a dangerously/good bad thing. :)
Elizabeth
February 23, 2017
I’ve been craving sweets while also trying to eat well, so these gorgeous little pots de creme are my dream come true. Burt’s Bees is one of my faves and I can’t wait to check their collection out!
amandapaa
February 23, 2017
pots of yum! thanks for stopping by Elizabeth. xo
Ruby
February 23, 2017
Love the warm + fuzzy feels of these photos, combined with luscious chocolatey perfection. I need to try these!! xoxo
Lynn
February 23, 2017
Chocolate and pretzels are my favorite combination. Also I love your outfit/apron ensemble.
Laura (A Beautiful Plate)
February 22, 2017
Wow! I didn’t know Burt’s Bees had come out with a protein powder line. So cool! I love their products. And this DESSERT. Swoon.
amandapaa
February 23, 2017
Yes, it’s brand new! Really love all the fruits and veggies in it.
Ruby & Cake
February 22, 2017
I love the sound of these! So dreamy :)
amandapaa
February 23, 2017
aw, thanks Ruby! my love for chocolate runs deep. :)
Sophie MacKenzie |Wholehearted Eats
February 22, 2017
This looks so amazing! Sweet and salty and perfect <3
Izzy Bruning
February 22, 2017
This look amazing – any excuse to eat chocolate and I am there! x
Izzy |https://pinchofdelight.wordpress.com
amandapaa
February 22, 2017
right?! cannot resist creamy pots of dark chocolate. and i love that it makes a small batch!
Liz
February 22, 2017
I just added this to my “chocolate dream” file!!
amandapaa
February 22, 2017
and why don’t i have one of these “files”? starting now! ;)
Kate
February 21, 2017
These sound fantastic!
amandapaa
February 22, 2017
chocolate satisfaction!