Mini Pecan Pie Cheesecakes (Printer-friendly)
Individual cheesecakes with graham crust and caramel-pecan topping — creamy, nutty, perfect for gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Crust
01 - 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
→ Cheesecake Filling
04 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
05 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1/4 cup sour cream
→ Pecan Pie Topping
09 - 2/3 cup chopped pecans
10 - 1/3 cup brown sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 2 tablespoons heavy cream
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Mix until evenly moistened. Divide mixture among paper liners and press firmly to create an even crust.
03 - In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Add egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream; mix until just combined. Distribute filling evenly over crusts.
04 - Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes or until centers are just set. Remove from oven, cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
05 - While cheesecakes chill, combine brown sugar, unsalted butter, heavy cream, and salt in a small saucepan. Set over medium heat and stir constantly until mixture simmers and thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in chopped pecans and vanilla extract, and allow topping to cool slightly.
06 - Top each chilled cheesecake with pecan mixture. Refrigerate an additional 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everyone believes you spent hours, but these are truly simple with a few mixing bowls and a muffin tin.
- The combination of a nutty, buttery topping on velvety cheesecake is a little revelation at every bite.
02 -
- Cheesecakes absolutely have to cool fully before adding the topping—otherwise, everything turns to mush.
- Toasting the pecans before stirring them in really does make the flavor pop.
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients make all the difference for a silky filling—set them out ahead if you remember.
- Don’t skip the final chill after adding the pecan topping, or the layers won’t set together.