Down Pineapple Caramel Cheesecakes
These Down Cheesecakes are a delightful mini dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling, and a luscious caramelized pineapple topping. Perfectly portioned in cupcake liners, they offer a tropical twist on traditional cheesecake with a smooth, fluffy texture and a hint of caramelized sweetness.
- Author: liam
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini cheesecakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Crust
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Topping
- 1 cup pineapple rings, chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prevent sticking and make removal easy.
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and mix thoroughly. Press about one tablespoon of this mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup to form an even crust layer.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: Beat the softened cream cheese in a bowl until it becomes smooth and creamy. Gradually add the granulated sugar, continuing to beat until the mixture is fluffy and well combined.
- Caramelize the Pineapple: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the chopped pineapple and brown sugar. Cook the mixture until the pineapple pieces are caramelized and coated with a sweet, sticky glaze, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Assemble the Cheesecakes: Spoon about two tablespoons of the cream cheese filling evenly over each graham cracker crust. Then, top each cheesecake with a portion of the caramelized pineapple mixture.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center, indicating perfect doneness.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the cheesecakes to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate them for at least two hours to firm up and develop flavor before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened for a smooth filling texture.
- Press the crust firmly into the muffin tins to prevent crumbling when serving.
- Do not overbake; a slight jiggle in the center indicates the cheesecake is perfectly cooked.
- Chilling is important to help the cheesecakes set properly and improve flavor.
- Use cupcake liners to make removal and serving easier.
Keywords: mini cheesecakes, pineapple cheesecake, caramelized pineapple, graham cracker crust, easy desserts, cream cheese dessert