Description
Indulgent Creme Brulee Cheesecake Cupcakes blend French pastry elegance with classic American dessert charm. Creamy cheesecake topped with caramelized sugar creates a delightful fusion you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups (354 ml) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
Cheesecake Filling:
- 2 cups (454 g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream
Creme Brulee Topping:
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) granulated sugar (for caramelizing)
Instructions
- Craft a sturdy foundation for your cupcakes by mixing graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into cupcake liners, creating a compact base that will support the creamy filling.
- Toast the crust briefly in a preheated oven to enhance its nutty flavor and create structural integrity.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until luxuriously smooth, eliminating any potential lumps.
- Gradually incorporate sugar, stirring until the mixture becomes silky and uniform in texture.
- Gently fold in vanilla extract and sour cream, ensuring a delicate incorporation that maintains the mixture’s airiness.
- Add eggs one at a time, blending carefully to preserve the filling’s delicate consistency without overworking the batter.
- Distribute the velvety cheesecake mixture evenly across the prepared crusts, filling each liner almost to its brim.
- Bake until the centers display a gentle wobble, signaling a perfectly creamy interior.
- Chill the cupcakes thoroughly, allowing them to set and develop a rich, dense texture.
- Before serving, dust the surface with a fine layer of granulated sugar, creating a canvas for caramelization.
- Use a kitchen torch to transform the sugar into a glistening, amber-hued crust, or carefully broil for a similar effect.
- Allow the caramel to crystallize momentarily, creating a satisfying crack when first pierced with a spoon.
- Serve immediately to experience the ultimate contrast between crisp caramel and luscious cheesecake.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for those with dietary restrictions.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs to ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling that blends effortlessly.
- Prevent cracking by avoiding overmixing and baking the cupcakes in a water bath, which creates a gentle, even heat environment.
- Create flavor variations by adding orange zest, lavender, or a splash of liqueur to the cheesecake mixture for an unexpected twist.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg