Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes
Ingredients:
For the Strawberry Cheesecake Filling:
- 2 cups strawberries, cleaned and hulled
- 3 tablespoons + 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup boiling water
- 1 tablespoon plain gelatin
- 1-1/4 cups heavy cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Directions:
Prepare the Strawberry Cheesecake Filling:
- In a blender, puree the strawberries with 3 tablespoons of sugar and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine the gelatin with 1/3 cup of sugar. Pour in the boiling water and stir for about 5 minutes, or until the gelatin has fully dissolved.
- Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Add in the cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and salt. Beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes.
- Gradually blend the gelatin mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Carefully fold in the strawberry puree until everything is thoroughly combined.
Make the Graham Cracker Crust:
- Spray the bottoms and sides of a mini cheesecake pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs with the brown sugar in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is well combined.
- Press about ¼-inch of the crust mixture into the bottom of each cheesecake well. Flatten each crust firmly with the bottom of a shot glass or a small cup.
- Evenly distribute the strawberry cheesecake filling among the cheesecake wells. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
To Serve:
- Release the mini cheesecakes from the pan. Optionally, garnish each with whipped cream and a slice of strawberry for a delightful finish.
Enjoy these elegant Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes, perfect for any special occasion or as a treat to brighten your everyday!