No-Bake White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes & Copycat Caramel Apple Spice #HarvestFun

Happy Autumn Equinox! This is always my favorite time of year. The weather, the fashion, the colors.. and of course the delicious aromas of seasonal recipes! Here we are only a few days into the season and I have such a variety of Fall recipes I can't wait to share. First things first- have you seen the seasonal M&M's? The packages are so festive for the season and each package comes in seasonal colors. Well, recently while shopping I spotted them and just had to purchase them. What?? It's for research purposes, I mean, I am a food blogger! (p.s. you can see more of my shopping trip here) Well, I picked up a few bags of my favorite flavors and got inspired by the seasonal White Chocolate Candy Corn M&M's! Have you heard of these before? They're so cute! They come in white chocolate flavors, and candy corn colors. So cute! I decided on the first official day of Fall I would create a delicious Autumn treat inspired by these White Chocolate Candy Corn M&M's, and to go with it a very authentic tasting Copycat Caramel Apple Spice.

For the dessert, I decided to make mini no-bake cheesecakes with a twist. The filling would be white chocolate, enhanced with the gorgeousness of real vanilla beans. For the crust, instead of a traditional graham cracker crust, I made my own chocolate graham cracker crust. For garnish a bit of caramel drizzle and some crushed peanut M&M's with my favorite M&M flavor (peanut butter) in the middle, in seasonal colors of course! What's the Fall season without apples and cinnamon? Nothing! When I think of Fall I always think of warm drinks and tasty desserts. A nice hot apple cider is just the thing, so I used my Mott's Apple juice and created a replica of one of my favorite drinks to purchase. The treats paired with a nice warm Caramel Apple Spice Cider was a great way to welcome the Autumn season in the tastiest way!

Aren't these the cutest? These completely inspired my mini cheesecakes!

No-Bake White Chocolate Mini Cheesecake Ingredients

Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust:

• 1-1/2 cups graham crackers crumbs
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine

White Chocolate Filling:

• 1 brick (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, scraped
• 1/2 cup melted white chocolate
• 1/2 tub whipped cream

No-Bake White Chocolate Mini Cheesecake Directions:

Combine all crust ingredients (minus butter) in food processor until ground and mixed well.

Place in medium bowl and add melted butter or margarine, press into mixture until well saturated

Press the crust into cupcake liners or mini parfait cups (I used both) with the back of a spoon, making sure all sides are even.

Refrigerate the crust while you make the filling.

Mix cream cheese on low then add sugar and vanilla beans. Mix together until well combined. 

Melt the white chocolate, then mix together with the cream cheese mixture.

Last, add in the whipped cream, mix until filling thickens a bit.

Looks so good!

Scoop filling on top of crust, then press to smooth.

Refrigerate at least one hour.

Drizzle with caramel syrup and crush peanut M&M's, placing your favorite flavor in the middle.

Delish! 

These are even better the next day!

Copycat Caramel Apple Spice Ingredients

Cinnamon Syrup:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Copycat Caramel Apple Spice:

• 2 cups Mott's Apple Juice
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon syrup
• whipped cream
• caramel syrup
• sprinkle of sea salt (optional)

Copycat Caramel Apple Spice Directions:

In small saucepan combine all ingredients for cinnamon syrup. 

Bring to a boil, stirring often. Let boil for a few minutes until sauce reduces down about halfway.

Remove from heat, refrigerate. This recipe creates plenty for later use!

Heat two cups of apple juice (more if making for more than one person).

Once heated, add the two cups of juice to your cup or mug, add two teaspoons of the cinnamon syrup.

The cinnamon sugar definitely gives the drink a deeper color.

Top with whipped cream and plenty of caramel syrup. 

Add a sprinkle of sea salt if it's your thing (hubby and daughter wrinkled their noses at this!)

Enjoy!

For more great ideas follow M&M's on Facebook & visit the Fall Baking & Entertaining Pinterest Board!