Friday, October 22, 2010

Mini Cheesecake bites

















WARnInG:These beauties will cause extreme satisfaction and may complicate weight loss.

Today's a day to celebrate. It is thuuuhh 10th yr anniversary of one a favourite couple of mine, P&S. The couple was gracious enough to let me bake their anniversary cake which I excitedly offered to make. It was a very bold move on their part as I haven't baked a cake in a while now( latest memory of a homemade cake was sometime in march).
This occasion gave me a chance to dream of the beautiful cakes & bite sized pastries that I could make for their party.....along came these beauties.

A very basic cheesecake recipe, simple graham cracker crust mixture, mini muffin liners + cooking spray gave birth to these little 'irresistible' cupcakes cheesecake disguising as a cupcake.
Recipes (fail proof one like this) can be found on Philadelphia cream cheese wrapper or a honey maid graham cracker box & all over the Internet.
 Here's mine:

Filling:
2(16 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
blend well to form a smooth, lump free mixture.

Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoon sugar brown
3 Tbs unsalted butter, melted
Mix together

Line mini muffin pan with liners & spray with cooking spray lightly. Spoon in about a teaspoon of crust mixture & pat it to form a base. bake 3-5 mins. Remove from oven, spoon in 2/3 full of cream cheese filling mixture ( about 1 tablespoon full). bake for about 20-25 minutes at 350. Cool & serve chilled.

To fancy these beauties & add variety, drop in (before baking) crushed oreo, toffee its, choc chips, peanut butter chips, shredded coconut+ pineapple, m&m's, Reese's pieces, jams etc... possibilities are endless.
My kids opted for choc chips & a few plain ones which will be beautifully adorned with a dollop of whipped cream, blackberries & mint.

G's note:
The crust can also be made of nilla wafers, oreo's & digestive biscuits.
Can be frozen for a week without losing any flavor as long as its stored in an airtight container & foil wrapped on the outside( if it lasts).

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