Description
Delightful mini cheesecakes bring restaurant-quality dessert magic straight to home kitchens with creamy, smooth perfection. Sweet graham cracker crusts and silky cream cheese filling create irresistible bite-sized indulgences you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 8 crackers, crushed)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) unsalted butter (melted)
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:
- 1 package (8 ounces/226 grams) cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon sour cream (adds creaminess, optional but recommended)
Toppings and Garnishes:
- Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- Chocolate drizzle
- Caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Prepare the baking workspace by setting the oven temperature to 325F (160C) and positioning the rack in the center.
- Arrange paper liners inside a standard muffin tin, ensuring even spacing and complete coverage of the cup surfaces.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter in a mixing bowl, stirring until the mixture achieves a consistent, slightly damp texture that holds together when pressed.
- Distribute the graham cracker mixture evenly across the muffin cups, using fingertips or the back of a spoon to firmly compact the crumb base, creating a solid foundation for the cheesecake.
- Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and bake the crusts for approximately 5 minutes, allowing them to set and develop a light golden color.
- Carefully remove the tin from the oven and let the crusts cool and stabilize at room temperature, preparing them for the next stage of cheesecake preparation.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Use a measuring spoon or small glass to perfectly compact the crust evenly in each muffin cup, creating a uniform base.
- Chill the crust for 10 minutes before baking to help it set and prevent crumbling when adding cheesecake filling.
- For cleaner edges and easier removal, use high-quality parchment paper liners instead of standard paper cupcake liners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg