Description
Delicate mini creme brulee cheesecakes offer a luxurious French-inspired dessert that marries creamy cheesecake with classic caramelized sugar. Elegant individual portions promise a sophisticated sweet experience you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Custard Base:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/4 tsp salt
Topping and Crust:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for caramelized topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners, ensuring a smooth surface for easy removal.
- Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs, then melt butter and mix thoroughly with cracker crumbs and brown sugar until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of each cupcake liner, creating a compact and even crust layer.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth and creamy, gradually incorporating granulated sugar until fully integrated.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition, then fold in sour cream and vanilla extract until the mixture is uniform and silky.
- Prepare the custard base by whisking egg yolks with heavy cream, milk, and salt until completely blended and slightly frothy.
- Gently pour the cheesecake mixture over the graham cracker crust, filling each liner about 3/4 full.
- Carefully incorporate the custard base by swirling it lightly into the cheesecake mixture, creating delicate marbled patterns.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center remains slightly jiggly.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
- Before serving, sprinkle granulated sugar evenly across the top of each mini cheesecake.
- Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it turns golden brown and creates a crisp, glassy surface.
- Serve immediately after caramelizing to maintain the crunchy sugar topping.
Notes
- Crumb Crust Tip: Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly to prevent crumbly or uneven base that might fall apart when serving.
- Cream Cheese Technique: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature and beat until ultra-smooth to eliminate lumps and create silky texture.
- Custard Swirling Trick: Swirl custard gently to create beautiful marbled effect without fully mixing, preserving distinct flavor layers.
- Caramelization Hack: Hold kitchen torch 2-3 inches from surface and move constantly to avoid burning sugar, achieving perfect golden-brown crust.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 353
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 162 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 102 mg