Description
Delightful mini pineapple upside-down cheesecakes blend tropical sweetness with creamy richness, creating a perfect handheld dessert. Caramelized pineapple and velvety cheesecake layers offer pure indulgence you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp sugar
Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Pineapple Topping:
- 1 can pineapple rings (small)
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 maraschino cherries
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners for easy removal.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl, mixing until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of each cupcake liner, creating a compact base.
- Melt butter in a skillet, then add brown sugar and cinnamon, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and bubbling.
- Place a pineapple ring in each skillet-prepared cup, then top with a maraschino cherry in the center.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl until completely smooth and creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time, incorporating fully after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract and sour cream.
- Carefully pour the cheesecake filling over the pineapple layer, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheesecake centers are almost set but still slightly jiggly.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set completely before serving.
- Gently remove from the muffin tin using the liner and serve chilled.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter that blends perfectly.
- Avoid overmixing the cheesecake filling to prevent air bubbles and a cracked surface during baking.
- Tap the muffin tin gently on the counter after filling to release any trapped air and create a smooth top.
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg