Mini Cheesecakes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 Tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons melted butter
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 6-cup jumbo muffin pan or line with foil liners.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter with a fork until combined. Measure a rounded tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup, pressing firmly. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes, then remove to cool.
3. Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla until fluffy. Beat in the egg.
4. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the muffin cups, filling each until 3/4 full. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely in pan before removing. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Yields 6 jumbo-muffin-sized cheesecakes

Variations:

• Mini New York Cheesecakes-Add an additional 2 Tablespoons of white sugar to filling. After beating in the egg, stir 1/4 cup sour cream to the mixture. Proceed baking as directed.