Delightful Treat for Any Occasion
Yields: 12 servings
Preparation Time: 40 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Chilling Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 4 hours and 10 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs (from about 7 full sheets)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
For the Raspberry Swirl:
- 4 ounces fresh raspberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (not melted)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions:
Crust Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs and sugar with a fork. Blend in the melted butter until the mixture is uniformly moist.
- Distribute a heaping tablespoon of the mixture into each of 12 paper-lined muffin cups, pressing down to form an even layer.
- Bake for 5 minutes, then cool.
Creating the Raspberry Swirl:
- Blend raspberries and sugar in a food processor until pureed, roughly 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Strain through a fine mesh to remove seeds, collecting the puree in a bowl. Set aside.
Cheesecake Filling:
- Whisk sugar and flour in a bowl. Add cream cheese and lemon zest, mixing with an electric mixer until just smooth.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla and sour cream, mixing just until blended.
- Tap the bowl on the counter about 10 times to release air bubbles.
- Evenly divide the filling among the muffin cups, filling nearly to the top.
Swirling the Raspberry into Cheesecake:
- Gently add about 5 small dots of raspberry puree on top of each cheesecake, using about 3/4 teaspoon for each.
- With a toothpick, swirl the raspberry into the cheesecake batter to create a marbled effect.
Baking and Cooling:
- Bake for 22-25 minutes until the cheesecakes are puffed and almost set.
- Cool completely, then refrigerate for 3 hours until firm.
Storage:
Keep refrigerated in an airtight container.
Enjoy these Raspberry Ripple Mini Cheesecakes as a perfect bite-sized dessert for any celebration, combining the creamy texture of cheesecake with the tartness of fresh raspberries. Enjoy crafting this delightful treat that’s sure to impress your guests!
