Description
Creamy, rich, and elegant these Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Cupcakes feature a smooth vanilla bean filling, buttery graham crust, and a caramelized sugar topping for a stunning handheld dessert.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tbsp granulated sugar
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Filling:
16 oz cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp vanilla bean paste (or seeds from 1 vanilla bean)
2 large eggs
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup heavy cream
Pinch of salt
For the Crème Brûlée Topping:
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for torching)
Fresh berries (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press 1–2 tablespoons into each liner.
3. Bake crusts for 5 minutes, then remove from oven.
4. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
5. Add vanilla bean paste, eggs, sour cream, heavy cream, and salt. Mix until just combined.
6. Divide batter evenly over crusts.
7. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until centers are just set. They should still jiggle slightly.
8. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
9. Before serving, sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar over each cupcake.
10. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp.
11. Top with fresh berries and serve chilled.
Notes
For a deeper caramel flavor, use raw turbinado sugar for the brûlée topping.
Best served the day the tops are torched for maximum crunch.
Store refrigerated without brûlée topping for up to 3 days; torch just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 22 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Crème Brûlée Cheesecake, Vanilla Bean, Mini Cheesecakes, Elegant Desserts, Cupcake Cheesecake