Make-Ahead Mini Cheesecakes

Mini Cheesecakes

1¼ cups graham crackers, crushed
¼ cup sugar
4 tablespoons butter, melted
2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ cup sugar
1 (21 oz.) can cherry or strawberry pie filling

~A Day Ahead~

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 18 regular muffin cups with paper baking cups. In a small bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, and melted butter. Place 2 tablespoons of the crumb mixture in each muffin cup. Press down on the crumbs with something flat to form a good crust. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the eggs, lemon juice, and sugar and beat until smooth. Fill each baking cup with about 3 tablespoons of the cheesecake mixture. Bake the cheesecakes for 17 - 19 minutes or until they crack. Cool the cheesecakes in the muffin pan for 5 minutes, then remove them to a wire rack. Place the cooled cheesecakes (with the paper liners still on them) in a covered container and refrigerate overnight.

~Before Serving~

Remove the paper liners and top each cheesecake with 2 tablespoons of pie filling. Keep refrigerated. Makes 18 mini cheesecakes.

This recipe is from my new cookbook Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms which is coming out this summer. For more make-ahead recipes, go to:

http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com

Jane Doiron