MINI CRÈME BRÛLÉE CHEESECAKES

Perfect creamy bites with crackling caramelized sugar topping. These mini cheesecakes with crème brulée flavour are going to be your next favourite individualized little cakes to make. Simple recipe that you need to start making now!

Don’t forget to read all the notes, tips and check the pictures to help you better understand how to make mini crème brûlée cheesecakes.

Why are mini crème brûlée cheesecakes so popular

There are many reasons why these decadent little deserts are so popular. The first one is the flavour; Crème Brulé is a flavour that is very often sought for, and it’s for a these very reasons: creamy, luscious and rich flavour that melts in your mouth, with slight crunch of caramelized sugar at first bite. Secondly it’s a cheesecake, so for those who loves cheesecakes, this flavour crème brûlée offers a new decadent experience.

Some people might say, these mini cheesecakes are perfect for portion control. Yes, of course, if you can control yourself, haha. And I am speaking of my own experience. If you are a disciplined person, you will appreciate these mini individual portions of crème brûlée cheesecakes. But of course individual servings are appreciated due to less mess, instead of complicated cutting of cheesecake where the cheesecake sticks to the knife, you have beautiful round mini cheesecakes that you can individually serve.

The elegant and sophisticated look of small sizes of mini cheesecakes is perfect for special occasions, such as weddings or parties. And don’t forget, the individual portions are easily customizable. Adding different toppings such as fruit garnishes or caramel sauce has never been so easy.

Let’s look at the practical side of baking mini cheesecakes. Mini cheesecakes bake evenly compared to a full sized cheesecake. You’ll have faster chilling and setting time. And easy convenient transport and serve, especially for events.

What is crème brûlée

Crème brûlée, means in French “burnt cream,” & it is one of the classic dessert consisting of a rich custard base made of egg yolks, cream and sugar, then topped with a thin, crisp layer of caramelized sugar. It is known for its delightful textural contrast—smooth, creamy custard paired with a crunchy sugar topping. You want to make one ? Here is the recipe of HOMEMADE CRÈME BRÛLÉE.

What ingredients are needed for crème brûlée cheesecake

• Graham cracker crumbs, perfect base for cheesecake. It makes a firm and slightly crumbly base. I love using already premade graham cracker crumbs. It saves me time and fewer dishes in the kitchen. As a substitute, you can use digestive cookies. They have a milder flavour.
• Unsalted butter will hold the graham cracker crumbs together. As a substitute, you can use either vegan butter or margarine.
• Granulated fine sugar sweetens the crust & the filling. As a sugar substitute, you can use Monk Fruit sweetener 1:1 sugar substitute (it has zero calories, gluten-free and vegan).
• Cream cheese is the primary ingredient for the filling, providing a rich, creamy texture and tangy flavour characteristic for cheesecake. I suggest using full fat cream cheese for the ultimate experience. As a substitute, you can use vegan cream cheese.
• Egg yolks provide structure and stability to the filling by coagulating during baking. Add richness and contribute to the silky texture of the cheesecake. As a substitute for eggs yolks, use Greek full fat yogurt, for each egg yolk use 1 tablespoon of yogurt.
• Vanilla extract adds depth of flavour and enhances the overall taste of the cheesecake.
• Whipping or Heavy cream adds creaminess and airy texture to the filling. Helps balance the density of the cream cheese and eggs. As substitute, you can use coconut cream.
• Granulated sugar for the brûlée topping, which involves caramelizing the sugar with a torch to create a crisp, golden crust. I used regular granulated sugar, which worked just perfectly fine, but you can use the fancy demerara or turbinado sugar. I would not recommend using powdered sugar or brown sugar.

What tools are needed for mini crème brûlée cheesecakes

To make mini crème brûlée cheesecakes, you’ll need the following tools:

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Muffin tin or mini cheesecake pan
• Cupcake liners (if using a muffin tin)
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Cooling rack
• Blowtorch (or broiler)

How to make mini crème brûlée cheesecakes

Step 1: Prepare the graham cracker crust

1. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar and salt. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand.
2. Butter each cavity of the mini cheesecake pan and scoop 1 tablespoon of graham cracker mixture in each cavity.
3. Press down firmly to form a crust. Use the back of a spoon or flat object, like tamper. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the cheesecake filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar & vanilla extract, until smooth and creamy.
2. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time. For extra creamy texture, you can add 1 tablespoon of sour cream.
3. Gradually add the chilled heavy cream, mixing just until smooth. Avoid overmixing.

Step 3: Assemble and bake

1. Scoop the cream cheese filling inside each cavity until the top.
2. Shake gently the pan to even out the top surface.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the centres are just set and slightly jiggly.

Step 4: Cool and chill 

1. Remove the pan from the oven and let the cheesecake come to room temperature on a cooling rack. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, to set completely.

Step 5: Caramelize the topping with kitchen torch

1. Just before serving, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar evenly on top of each cheesecake.
2. Use a blowtorch to caramelize the sugar until golden brown and crisp.
3. Allow the caramelized sugar to cool for a minute or two to harden.

Variations for mini cheesecakes

Crust variations

• Cookie-based crusts – try using crushed Oreo cookies, gingersnaps, or biscoff cookies instead of graham crackers for different flavours.
• Nutty crusts – adding finely chopped nuts (like almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts) to the graham cracker mixture for extra crunch and flavour.

Filling flavour additions

• Chocolate lovers – mix in ¼ cup of melted white or dark chocolate into the filling for a rich, chocolatey variation. Use a chocolate cookie crust for a complementary base.
• Boozy twist – Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of liqueur (e.g., Bailey’s, Grand Marnier, or Amaretto) for an adult-friendly version.

Topping Variations

• Whipped Cream – Add a dollop of flavoured whipped cream (vanilla, chocolate, or fruit-infused) for extra indulgence.
• Chopped Nuts or Chocolate Shavings  – Sprinkle finely chopped nuts, toasted coconut, or chocolate shavings over the hardened sugar for added texture and flavour.

FAQ

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