Description
Creamy mini cheesecakes deliver delightful individual desserts perfect for parties. Rich cream cheese and graham cracker crust combine for a classic treat you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Base:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crust:
- 1 cup (120 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) melted butter
- 1 tablespoon (12 grams) sugar
Toppings:
- Fresh berries
- Chocolate drizzle
- Caramel
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 325F (163C) and arrange cupcake liners inside a muffin tin, preparing for delicate mini cheesecake creation.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar, blending until thoroughly mixed. Distribute the mixture evenly across liners, pressing firmly to create a compact crust foundation.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whip cream cheese and sugar together until achieving a silky, uniform consistency. Gently incorporate eggs individually, ensuring smooth integration after each addition. Introduce vanilla extract, stirring to harmonize flavors.
- Carefully transfer the creamy filling over prepared crusts, filling each cavity approximately three-quarters full to allow room for potential rising during baking.
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, monitoring until centers appear set and slightly firm to the touch. Remove and allow natural cooling at room temperature.
- Once completely cooled, transfer mini cheesecakes to refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 2 hours to enhance texture and flavor development.
- Prior to serving, garnish with preferred toppings such as fresh berries, chocolate shavings, caramel drizzle, or whipped cream to elevate the dessert’s visual appeal and taste profile.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps and create a smooth, creamy filling.
- Use a food processor or rolling pin to crush graham crackers into fine, uniform crumbs for a perfect crust texture.
- Press crust mixture gently but firmly into liners to create a compact base that won’t crumble when eating.
- Check cheesecakes by gently shaking the pan – centers should be slightly jiggly but not liquid when done.
- Prevent cracks by avoiding overmixing and overbaking, which can cause the cheesecake to dry out and split.
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Experiment with flavor variations by adding lemon zest, chocolate chips, or fruit purees to the basic filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 231 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 132 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg