Description
Delight in these Creme Brûlée Cheesecake Cupcakes, a luscious fusion of creamy cheesecake and the classic caramelized sugar topping of crème brûlée. With a crunchy graham cracker crust and a smooth, rich filling, each bite offers the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Ideal for dessert lovers seeking an elegant yet easy-to-make treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 9 graham crackers, finely crushed (equivalent to 1 sleeve)
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 pinch salt
Topping
- 1/3 cup super fine sugar
Instructions
- Preheating and Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to 275°F (135°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Crust Formation: In a mixing bowl, combine the finely crushed graham crackers, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Stir until fully mixed. Divide the mixture evenly into the cupcake liners and press firmly down to form a solid base crust.
- Cheesecake Filling Preparation: In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add vanilla extract, whole egg, egg yolks, sour cream, and a pinch of salt, then continue beating until the mixture is fully combined and silky smooth.
- Filling the Cupcake Liners: Spoon the cheesecake batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for slight expansion during baking.
- Baking: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. Remove from oven and let the cupcakes cool completely in the tin before proceeding.
- Finalizing the Cupcakes: Once cooled, carefully remove the cupcakes from the liners. Sprinkle approximately 1 teaspoon of super fine sugar on top of each cupcake. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp. Alternatively, place cupcakes under the broiler, watching closely and rotating as needed until sugar caramelizes. Serve chilled for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing for a smoother filling.
- Press the crust firmly to prevent it from crumbling when eating.
- If you don’t have a kitchen torch, broiling is a great alternative but watch closely to prevent burning.
- Super fine sugar caramelizes more evenly; if unavailable, granulated sugar can be used but may require slightly more time.
- Chill cupcakes thoroughly before serving to enhance the texture and flavor contrast between creamy filling and caramelized topping.
