STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE CUPCAKES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 18 regular-size muffin cups; lightly spray paper cups with cooking spray. In small bowl, mix Crust ingredients. Spoon evenly into muffin cups; press down slightly.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended. Spoon filling evenly into muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full.
• Bake 24 to 26 minutes or until filling is set. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small bowl, mix fruit spread and frosting; spread over cupcakes. Refrigerate about 2 hours. Garnish each with small strawberry half.

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 325°. Wrap heavy-duty foil around the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Spray the inside of the pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press into the bottom and 1-inch up the sides of the springform pan. Bake until golden brown, 10 to 14 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.
• For the filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until no lumps remain, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, gradually add the sour cream, sugar, flour and salt, beating until the batter is smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, until just combined after each addition. Continue scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Stir in the vanilla bean paste.
• Pour the filling into the pan and place it into a large roasting pan. Place the pan into the oven and quickly pour hot water into the roasting pan so that it comes up about halfway up the foil-wrapped springform pan.
• Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes or until the cheesecake is set on the sides and just barely jiggles in the center when the pan is shaken. Turn the oven off and crack the oven door. Leave the cheesecake in the oven for 15 minutes.
• Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and transfer to a wire rack. Let the cheesecake continue cooling to room temperature, about 2 hours. Place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours to chill completely.
• For the topping: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 pound of the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice and salt over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until strawberries break down and the sauce is thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the remaining 1/2 lb. strawberries and cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
• To serve: Run a thin knife along the edge of the pan before removing the sides from the pan. Top the cheesecake with strawberry mixture just before serving.