Mini Caramel Cheesecakes

I love cheesecake but I really don't like to make cheesecake at home because it takes too long to bake. It takes over an hour usually and at two different temperatures, and it needs a special pan and some recipes call for it to bake in a water bath. And then after all that baking time and special handling, it needs to refrigerate for 12 hours. No, thank you. That's a long time to wait for dessert. Cheesecake is a fussy dessert, and who needs that kind of complication when you just want a bite of cheesecake.

Well, I've found the perfect recipe that you can make at home to satisfy your cheesecake craving that is decidedly, not fussy. In fact, these Mini Caramel Cheesecakes are as easy to make as cupcakes, they only take 15 minutes to bake and a little chill time in the fridge and they're done. Top them with your favorite sauce and you'll have a delicious and decadent dessert.

Mini Caramel Cheesecakes (adapted recipe from Betty Crocker)
Makes 12

1- 8oz package plus 3oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs

Crust
1 cup graham cracker crumbs 
2 T sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Smucker's Caramel sauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line muffin tin with paper baking cups. 

Beat cream cheese and sugar in a medium bowl until fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs one at a time. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until 
incorporated. Add about 1-2 Tablespoons of graham cracker mixture to the bottom of each baking cup. (I used a small cookie scoop) With the back of a small spoon, press and smooth out the crumbs so that it forms a crust. Fill cups three-fourths full.

Bake for 15 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes and then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 

Remove the paper wrappers and top with some ready-made caramel sauce and serve along side fresh raspberries.

I had some Smucker's Caramel Sauce way in the back of the fridge leftover from our 'Make your own Sundae' day with my boys and decided to top these cheesecakes with it and wow they were amazing, but you can use chocolate or any topping you choose. 
Here's an idea for an easy fruit topping in a pinch, just heat up some blackberry, strawberry or raspberry jam for a beautiful fruit sauce topper. Enjoy!

Other dessert recipes to try:
Lemon Brownies
Orange Cornmeal Cake
Red Velvet Brownies with Cookie Crumble Frosting
Peanut Butter Poundcake with Chocolate Ganache
S'mores Cellar Cake