Description
Creamy mini pecan pie cheesecakes combine Southern charm with indulgent dessert magic. Rich, nutty pecans and silky cheesecake create a perfectly balanced treat that delights your palate with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese (softened)
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Sweeteners:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Meticulously line a muffin tin with paper liners, ensuring even spacing for uniform mini cheesecakes.
- Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs, blend thoroughly with melted butter to create a cohesive crust mixture.
- Gently press the buttery cracker mixture into each liner, compacting firmly to form a solid base layer.
- Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until velvety smooth, gradually incorporating sugar and vanilla extract.
- Introduce eggs one at a time, blending carefully to maintain a silky cheesecake batter without overmixing.
- Delicately distribute the creamy cheesecake mixture across prepared crusts, filling each liner approximately three-quarters full.
- Bake until centers are slightly jiggly but set, indicating perfect cheesecake consistency.
- Meanwhile, construct the pecan topping by whisking brown sugar, corn syrup, and heavy cream into a glossy caramel-like sauce.
- Fold toasted pecans into the luxurious syrup, ensuring each nut is generously coated.
- After initial baking, carefully spoon the pecan mixture atop each mini cheesecake.
- Return to oven for a brief final bake, allowing the topping to caramelize and set.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- Refrigerate for several hours to achieve optimal texture and flavor melding.
Notes
- Customize the crust by swapping graham crackers with gingersnap or chocolate cookie crumbs for a unique flavor twist.
- Prevent cheesecake cracks by using room temperature ingredients and avoiding overmixing the batter.
- Enhance the pecan topping’s richness by lightly toasting pecans beforehand to release their deeper, nuttier flavor.
- Make the dessert gluten-free by using gluten-free graham cracker alternatives or almond flour for the crust base.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg