Ingredients
Let’s dive into the ingredients that make these cheesecake cups a hit. Most of these are pantry staples, and you can easily find the rest at your local grocery store.
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup strawberry preserves
- 1/2 cup crushed freeze-dried strawberries
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can substitute the graham cracker crust with a mix of crushed pretzels for a salty twist or swap the strawberries with raspberries for a tart variation.
Instructions
Ready to bring these cheesecake cups to life? Let’s get started!
- Start by preparing the crust. In a medium bowl, mix the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and granulated sugar until combined.
- Divide the mixture evenly among your serving cups, pressing it down firmly to form a crust layer.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring it’s fully incorporated.
- Spoon the cheesecake filling over the crusts in each cup, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
- In a small bowl, mix the strawberry preserves with the chopped strawberries. Spoon this mixture over the cheesecake layer.
- Sprinkle crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top for that delightful crunch.
- Refrigerate the cups for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
As my abuela always said, “Patience makes the meal taste sweeter,” and letting these cups chill enhances the flavors perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International