Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes

Every year I stress about Christmas shopping. How am I supposed to buy all of my family members something they don't already have, something someone hasn't already purchased for them, something they'll appreciate and something that won't break the bank, but won't look cheap and lame either? I struggled with this for so many of my family members, but grandparents are the worst. They claim all they want is your love and to pinch your cheeks, but they end up buying you fantastic gifts and suddenly your cheeks don't look so great. This year, I decided it would be a great idea to bake for my grandparents. They love desserts and home-made baking really is priceless. I came up with an idea to take a regular, old cheesecake recipe I had at home and make these cute little cheesecake, single-serving cupcakes.

Ingredients:

For 12 regular sized cupcakes...

• White Sugar

• 2/3 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs

• 2 tbsp Margarine

• 2 (8ounce) Packages of Cream Cheese

• 2 Eggs

• 1 tbs Lemon Juice

• 1/2 tsp 

Step 1:

Preheat your oven  to 350°F and grease your cupcake pans and line with cupcake holders if desired. In a bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, 2 tbsp of white sugar, the margarine with a fork. Once mixed together, place a tablespoon full into the bottom of each cupcake holder and flatten. Place the cupcake trays into the oven for approximately 5 minutes and then leave to cool.

Step 2:

Meanwhile, in an other bowl, combine the cream cheese, 1/2 cup of white sugar, the lemon juice and the vanilla and beat until the mixtures appears creamy. At this point, beat in the eggs. Pour this mixture into the cup cake holders, over-top of the baked graham. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, leave to cool and then refrigerate the mini cheesecakes until chilled. 

Step 3:

Once ready to serve, garnish the mini cheesecakes with fruit of your choice. I personally thought mini cherry cheesecake cupcakes would look cute and festive. 

My grandparents really loved this recipe and adored how cute and original these mini cheesecakes were. These would be perfect at a dinner party or social gathering because everyone can grab their own personal little cheesecake cupcake and it's not as messy as usual. I wrapped these babies up in a holiday-festive tin and ribbon and everyone was thoroughly impressed. Happy holidays!