Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Cups (Print Format)
These portions of smooth vanilla cheesecake topped with a sweet crunchy sugar layer blend elegance with simplicity in every bite.
# Ingredients:
→ Crust Basics
01 -
4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
02 -
1 cup crushed graham crackers
03 -
2 tablespoons white sugar
→ Cheesecake Mixture
04 -
16 ounces softened cream cheese
05 -
2 large eggs
06 -
1/2 cup white sugar
07 -
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 -
1/2 cup sour cream
09 -
1 vanilla bean, seeds scooped out
10 -
1/2 cup whipped heavy cream
→ Crunchy Burnt Sugar Topper
11 -
1/4 cup sugar (approx. 1 teaspoon for each cupcake)
# Steps:
01 -
Switch on your oven to heat up to 325°F (160°C). Put cupcake liners into each spot of a 12-cup muffin tray.
02 -
Mix together your butter, sugar, and cracker crumbs in a bowl until it feels like wet sand. Scoop about a spoonful into each cupcake liner. Flatten it down tight using the back of a spoon.
03 -
Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat your cream cheese together with sugar until it's creamy and smooth. Add eggs one by one, blending each time. Toss in sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and the scraped vanilla seeds. Beat until just mixed.
04 -
Evenly pour your cheesecake mix across all the cups, leaving a little space at the top of each. Tap the tray lightly on the counter to pop any bubbles.
05 -
Slide the tray into your preheated oven. Let them bake for around 20 to 25 minutes—just until the middles are firm but not solid like a rock.
06 -
Leave the cheesecakes to rest in the pan until they're room temp. Then pop them into a fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight, so they completely firm up.
07 -
Before serving, sprinkle roughly a teaspoon of sugar on top of every cheesecake. Use a kitchen torch to gently melt the sugar until it bubbles and turns golden brown. Keep the torch moving to avoid burning.
08 -
Once the sugar hardens into a crunchy layer, serve the cheesecakes straight from the fridge. The crispy sugar pairs perfectly with the creamy cheesecake.
# Tips:
01 -
Don't have a torch? You can melt the sugar under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, but stay close to avoid burning it.
02 -
Crunchy sugar topping might soften with time, so it's best to torch it just before eating.
03 -
If vanilla beans aren't handy, swap them for another teaspoon of good-quality vanilla extract.