Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs, (chocolate graham cracker crumbs, or chocolate wafer cookie crumbs may also be used)
3 tbsp. granulated sugar
3 tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs
Stir-In Ideas
*(See Tips below)
Instructions:
Mix crumbs, the 3 tbsp. sugar and butter; press scant 1/3 cup crumb mixture onto bottom of each of 4 mini (4-1/2-inch) springform pans. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 7 minutes.
Mix cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour 1/4 of the batter (about 1 cup) into each of 4 bowls. If desired, add one of the Stir-In Ideas to each bowl of batter, mixing Ideas as desired. Pour over crusts. Place pans on cookie sheet.
Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 40 to 45 minutes or until centers are almost set. Run knife or metal spatula around rims of pans to loosen cakes; cool before removing rims of pans. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
Topping Ideas
Fresh fruits, such as strawberry halves, slices of kiwi, whole raspberries, sliced peaches, or chocolate curls can be placed in the middle of cheesecakes for garnish before serving.
Makes 4 (4 1/2-inch) mini cheesecakes.
Tips:
STIR-IN IDEAS
For each 1/4 portion of batter, stir in one of the following:
APPLE PIE MINI CHEESECAKE
Stir in 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon; pour over crust. Bake as directed. Top cheesecake with combined 1/2 cup warmed apple pie filling and 1/2 tsp. brown sugar.
NEW YORK MINI CHEESECAKE
Stir in 1/4 cup Sour Cream and 1 tbsp. flour.
CHOCOLATE CHUNK MINI CHEESECAKE
Stir in 1/4 cup Milk Chocolate Chunks.
CITRUS MINI CHEESECAKE
Stir in 1 tsp. lemon, orange or lime juice; 1 tsp. flour and 1/4 tsp. grated lemon, orange or lime peel.
S'MORES MINI CHEESECAKE
Stir in 3 tbsp. Milk Chocolate Chunks; pour over crust. Top with 1/4 cup miniature marshmallows and 1 tbsp. broken graham crackers.
COOKIES AND CREAM MINI CHEESECAKE
Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cookies, such as Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies or Chips Ahoy! Chocolate Chip Cookies.
CHOCOLATE ROYALE MINI CHEESECAKE
Stir in 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted.
PEANUT BUTTER MINI CHEESECAKE
Stir in 2 tbsp. peanut butter and 1 tbsp. milk.
MOCHA MINI CHEESECAKE
Mix 1 tsp. instant coffee granules with 2 tsp. hot water. Stir into batter along with 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted.
Source: Kraft Foods
Date: Novwmber 24, 2003