Description
Delightful mini pineapple upside-down cheesecakes blend classic dessert charm with elegant individual servings. Caramelized pineapple and creamy cheesecake create a perfect balance you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 pineapple rings
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 6 maraschino cherries
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsps granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 325F (165C) and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray or cupcake liners.
- Caramel Foundation: Blend melted butter and brown sugar, distributing the mixture evenly across the bottom of each muffin cavity to create a rich, golden base.
- Fruity Arrangement: Delicately place pineapple chunks and maraschino cherry halves on top of the caramel layer, crafting an eye-catching display.
- Crust Formation: Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until achieving a sandy texture, then firmly press into each cup to form a sturdy foundation.
- Cheesecake Filling: Whip cream cheese and granulated sugar until silky smooth, then gently fold in egg and vanilla extract, mixing until just incorporated.
- Assembly: Spoon the creamy cheesecake mixture over the prepared crust, filling each cup nearly to the top for perfect individual servings.
- Baking Process: Bake for 18-22 minutes, monitoring for a slight puff and set appearance that signals optimal doneness.
- Cooling and Setting: Allow cheesecakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to enhance flavor and texture.
- Serving: Carefully invert the muffin tin onto a serving platter, revealing the gorgeous upside-down mini cheesecakes with their caramelized pineapple topping.
Notes
- Prevent Crust Crumbling: Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly to create a stable base that holds together when removed from the tin.
- Control Cheesecake Texture: Avoid overmixing the cream cheese filling to prevent incorporating excess air, which can cause cracking or uneven baking.
- Manage Moisture Levels: Pat pineapple chunks dry before placing them in the muffin cups to prevent excess liquid from making the crust soggy.
- Temperature Precision: Let cream cheese and egg come to room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling that blends seamlessly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg