Description
These Mini Crème Brûlée Cheesecakes offer a delightful twist on traditional cheesecake by combining a creamy filling with a crispy graham cracker crust and a caramelized brûlée topping. Perfectly portioned into 12 mini cheesecakes, they are elegant, rich, and ideal for special occasions or a decadent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy cream
For the Brûlée Topping:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking the mini cheesecakes.
- Prepare the Crust: In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Bake the crusts for 5 minutes, then set aside to cool.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: Using a mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy. Then add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and heavy cream, mixing until fully combined.
- Fill and Bake: Pour the cheesecake batter over each crust in the cupcake liners, filling them about three-quarters full. Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the centers are slightly jiggly but the edges are set.
- Chill the Cheesecakes: Remove the cheesecakes from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate them for at least 2 hours to firm up completely.
- Brûlée the Tops: Just before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar over each cheesecake. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it forms a golden brown, crisp brûlée topping.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Do not overbake; the cheesecake should be slightly jiggly in the center when done.
- Use a kitchen torch for the brûlée topping to get the best caramelized texture; if unavailable, broil briefly but watch carefully.
- Chilling is essential for proper texture and easier brûlée topping application.
- Line the muffin tin with sturdy cupcake liners to support the batter during baking.
