Ingredients
1 ½ cups Graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup Granulated sugar (for crust)
6 tablespoons Unsalted butter, melted
2 (8-ounce) packages Full-fat cream cheese, softened
¾ cup Granulated sugar (for filling)
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
½ teaspoon Lemon zest (optional)
1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
2 large Eggs, at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and ¼ cup of granulated sugar. Pour in the melted butter and mix well
- Distribute the graham cracker mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups and press it into a compact layer
- Bake the crusts for 5 minutes and let them cool slightly
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth
- Gradually add ¾ cup of granulated sugar to the cream cheese and mix, then stir in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing only until combined after each additio
- Pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the cooled crusts, filling each liner about ¾ full
- Bake for 18-22 minutes until the edges are set but the centers have a slight jiggle
- Let the cheesecake cups cool completely in the tin, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours
- Carefully remove the cheesecakes from the muffin tin and top with your favorite garnishes
Notes
Using room temperature ingredients helps ensure a smooth mixture.
Avoid overmixing after adding the eggs to prevent cracks in the cheesecakes.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 22 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg