Mini Cheesecake Recipe

As all cheesecake lovers know, cheesecake is the perfect dessert for any gathering, any occasion and any time of the day or night :-) The biggest problem cheesecake ever poses is that it is can be tricky to cut into slices when serving guests. The problem becomes a bit worse when serving cheesecake in a buffet style setting. As the cake warms from being out, the cheesecake will crumble and look even worse for the rest of the guests after the first few have served themselves. One of the best solutions to this dilemma I have ever seen  is to make mini cheesecakes instead. What a great idea! These tiny cheesecakes are perfect for serving guests, they are easy to eat, taste just as great as a regular size cheesecake, and the best part is, you have none of the mess that comes with slicing cheesecake.

One of my favorites is a mini cheesecake recipe that will make you look like a gourmet chef. Mini lemon cheesecake. If you've ever tried a Lemon cheesecake, you know what I'm talking about. It's one of the most popular cheesecake varieties you can make. The cheesecake platter can be garnished with fruit sauce or fresh mint to make the presentation even more mouth watering. I guarantee whatever the occasion, your mini cheesecake recipe will be a hit and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Using muffin cups is the easiest way to make mini cheesecakes. You can find them at your grocer and party stores offer some really pretty cups if you want to dress things up a bit. You can finds all sorts of cups that will accent any occasion and decor. Use the medium size and stay away from the really mini cups. I know some people who prefer to put the cheesecake directly into the muffin pans without using the cups at all, but getting them out can be a chore and the cups help keep the cheesecake from ending up down the front of someone's fancy outfit while attempting to eat them.

Ingredients:

40 Vanilla Wafers
1/4 cup softened butter
2 teaspoons lemon peel
1 package of softened (brand name) cream cheese (do not scrimp on brands)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest (you will need a lemon zester if you don't have one)
1 egg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
12 muffin cups

Crust Directions:

The crust is made using Vanilla Wafers and butter, and is really good compared to store bought crust.

Crush 40 vanilla wafers in a zip lock or freezer type bag until you have the consistency of crumbs that you want.
Mix the vanilla wafer crumbs with the 1/4 cup softened butter, and 2 tsp. lemon peel until well blended. Do not over mix! (see 5 tips to perfect cheesecake)
Add about 2 tbsp. of the crumb mix into the twelve paper muffin cups. Using your hands, press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the cups and as far up the sides as you can smoothing out any cracks.

Cheesecake Directions:

This part is just as easy to do as the crust was. Using an electric mixer set no higher than medium, beat one package of softened cream cheese until fluffy. Do not over mix! Very slowly, add in 1/2 cup of sugar a bit at a time as you are mixing the cream cheese. Mix until the sugar is completely incorporated.
Add 1 tsp lemon zest. (If you don't have a lemon zester, you will need one ahead of time) When you zest the lemon, be sure to only zest the yellow part of the lemon as the white part will ruin your cheesecake because of it's bitterness.

Add 1 egg and 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice. Mix well. Using a small ice cream scoop if you have one, and pour batter into the cups that you pre-made crusts for already.
Bake the mini cheesecakes for forty minutes. Don't open the oven. If you don't trust your oven, use the light to peek and if they look too brown, turn off the oven but allow the cheesecakes to remain in the turned off oven for 30 more minutes. Leave the oven open. When it's time, remove the mini cheesecakes from the muffin pan and put on a wire rack until cooled. Then refrigerate at least an hour or two and preferably overnight if you can for best results. Serve and eat and prepare to wow your guests with a delightfully yummy gourmet treat that won't end up all over them!

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