Ingredients:
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (12 whole crackers)
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
8 Tbsp unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
For the No-Bake Cheesecake:
16 oz cream cheese (2 8-oz blocks), room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp sour cream
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Cherry Topping: (optional)
Cherry sauce (see instructions)
Instructions:
Prepare Muffin Tin: Line your muffin tin with paper liners. If you don’t have a spare muffin tin to make 14 total, you can put the extra 2 into ramekins.
Make Graham Cracker Crust: In a medium bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Add melted butter and stir until crumbs are evenly moistened. Divide the crumbs between your paper liners (about 2 Tablespoons in each). Press the crumbs evenly into the bottom of the liners to form the crust.
Prepare Cheesecake Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar with an electric hand mixer on medium/high speed for 3 minutes until fluffy and completely smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add sour cream and lemon juice and beat for another minute until well incorporated.
Whip Heavy Cream: Wash the mixer attachments and then in a second large mixing bowl, beat heavy whipping cream on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, or until whipped and stiff peaks form.
Combine Mixtures: Using a spatula, fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined, scraping from the bottom of the bowl as you mix. Divide the cheesecake mixture evenly between your cupcake liners. Even out the tops with the back of a spoon. The cream cheese should be about level with the tops of the cupcake liners.
Chill: Refrigerate the mini cheesecakes for at least 6 hours or overnight. Set a reminder to cover with plastic wrap after a couple of hours in the refrigerator.
Make Cherry Sauce: Make the Cherry Sauce and set it aside to cool to room temperature. Then, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve the cheesecakes.
Serve: To serve, remove the wrappers from the mini cheesecakes (the cheesecakes soften as they stand so it’s easier to remove the wrappers right away). Spoon cooled cherry sauce over the mini cheesecakes and enjoy!
