Description
A luxurious fusion of French and American desserts, these mini crème brûlée cheesecakes feature a creamy cheesecake base topped with a crisp layer of caramelized sugar. Individually portioned and elegantly presented, they’re perfect for special occasions, offering a sophisticated bite-sized indulgence with silky texture and rich flavor.
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake Base:
-
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
-
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
-
8 oz cream cheese (full-fat), room temperature
-
1/3 cup granulated sugar
-
1 large egg
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Crème Brûlée Topping:
-
1/2 cup heavy cream
-
2 large egg yolks
-
2 tbsp granulated sugar
-
1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
-
Extra granulated sugar (or superfine sugar) for topping
Instructions
-
Preheat Oven & Prep Pans:
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a mini muffin tin with liners or use mini ramekins. -
Prepare Crust:
Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press a small amount into the bottom of each liner or ramekin. Bake for 5 minutes. Set aside. -
Make Cheesecake Batter:
Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla, and mix until combined. Pour evenly into crusts. -
Bake in Water Bath:
Place ramekins in a large baking dish and pour hot water halfway up the sides. Bake for 18–22 minutes until set. Let cool, then chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. -
Prepare Crème Brûlée Topping:
In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, cream, and vanilla until smooth. Spoon a thin layer onto the chilled cheesecakes. -
Torch the Tops:
Sprinkle each with a thin layer of sugar. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize until golden and crisp. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use a digital kitchen scale and uniform ramekins for consistent results.
Always torch sugar topping just before serving to maintain the crunch.
Store in the fridge for up to 2 days; caramelize tops just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Broiling (Torching)
- Cuisine: French-American Fusion