Death by Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

Ready for a treat your friends and family begging you to bring these again to the next event? Always a crowd favorite for chocolate lovers. Join me in my journey where you will learn how to make these delicious treats, sustainably. Here you will learn why the chocolate industry is so bitter while the chocolate itself is so sweet.

Growing up, there was never a night that I would skip having some variation of chocolate for dessert. It was a sweet ritual that brought joy to my evenings. However, everything changed when I entered college and took my first EcoGastronomy class. It was here that I uncovered the harsh realities of the chocolate industry. For one of our assignments, we were tasked with watching Rotten Season 2 Episode 5, "Bitter Chocolate." This eye-opening episode revealed the violence and cruelty that lurk behind the closed doors of chocolate production.

But here’s the empowering part: knowledge is a catalyst for change! By understanding the challenges faced by cocoa farmers/all those who work to get the chocolate to us and the impact of our choices, we can make a difference. There is a reason chocolate is included as one of the seven fair trade products. It’s a call to action for all of us. When you choose sustainable and fair-trade chocolate, you are not just indulging in a treat; you are standing up against injustice. You have the power to support ethical practices and promote a better future for those who work tirelessly to produce the chocolate we love.

So, the next time you reach for that chocolate bar, remember that you can be a part of the solution. Choose wisely, support fair trade, and let your sweet tooth contribute to a sweeter world for everyone. Together, we can transform the chocolate industry into one that values humanity and sustainability. Let’s turn our love for chocolate into a force for good!

I originally got this recipe from Delish (link: Best Mini Death By Chocolate Cheesecakes Recipe - How To Make Mini Death By Chocolate Cheesecakes). Since I am typically baking on a budget, I have to get creative, so I omit things like piping bag, and I'll use a Ziplock and cut a hole in the bottom. I also grew up only having homemade whipped cream so I like using my own version, but I made sure to share both just so you can have options.

You don't need to be a cooking prodigy to make these, and they are bound to excite a crowd. All my friends who have tried them beg me to make more they are just too good and disappear way too quickly. One thing I also like to mention is that I love using the silicone cupcake liners. You can reuse them allowing you to stop buying the single-use liners that many are accustomed to. Here is a link to the ones that I use! Amazon.com: The Silicone Kitchen Reusable Silicone Baking Cup Silicone Muffin Liners for Cupcakes, BPA Free, Regular, 12 Pack, White Blue Green: Home & Kitchen

Are you ready to be in apple spice heaven?

It's just about that time of year again... When you step outside, you can smell the slight chill in the air and the beautiful, changing leaves. Sweaters start coming out of hiding and your spice cabinet starts to get some action. The best and only way to begin our wonderful baking journey is to share my mom's incredible apple pie recipe. Disclaimer I have never made this before, but I have grown up eating this every fall. Once I moved away for college this is one of the desserts, I beg my mom to make every single time I come home. Lucky enough for you guys, I am bringing you along on my adventure to learn to recreate her recipe.

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The most important part of baking is having high-quality ingredients. The key ingredient here is ... APPLES! Our family tradition was to go to our local apple orchard and hand-pick a mix of Granny Smith and Winesap apples. These are the apples that are available in my area in New Jersey, but not to fret if you do not have these options near you the best combination is tart apples mixed with sweet apples. Picking your own contributes to the local economy and helps out the small business owners in your area. Another thing to mention is that you see exactly where your food is coming from and the environment around it. One thing to mention though is to be thoughtful of your actions while at the orchard you want to make sure to avoid unnecessary waste and clean waste management practices.

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One common theme is that this pie is always a hit, so you can bring it to any function and seldom come home with leftovers. Then, when people ask, you have the opportunity to mention how you made it yourself and how you helped out your local businesses as well. A win-win-win in my books! For the recipe aspect you can either buy a store-bought pie shell or make your own (no judgement here).

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If you're an adventurous soul eager to try your hand at making your own pie crust, I've got your back! Start by ensuring your butter is extremely cold, as you'll need to grate it using a cheese grater. After grating the butter, return it to the fridge to maintain its coldness while you proceed to the next step. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and salt. I usually estimate the amount of salt (unconventional in baking, I know!), but it's typically less than what the instructions suggest. Using either a pastry cutter or your hands, blend the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough can be shaped into a ball. Gently flatten the ball, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate it for at least one to two hours (preferably overnight). When you're ready to use it, place the dough in your pie dish, trim off any excess, crimp the edges with a fork, then chill it in the fridge for an additional 20 minutes. Follow the same steps as described above to complete your apple pie. Happy Cooking Friends! If you liked this recipe and are looking for some more tasty treats stay tuned for some of my other posts.

~The pie crust recipe comes from Budget101 specifically Homemade all Butter Pie Crust Recipe from Scratch-id#593845- by Budget101.com ~