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+ servings
lemon blueberry cheesecake 488135359

Mini Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Cups

Bite-size lemon blueberry cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust, tangy Meyer lemon filling, and a beautiful blueberry swirl.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 1
Course: Baking, Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 234

Ingredients
  

For the blueberry swirl
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries (140 g)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh Meyer lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons water
For the graham cracker crust
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (120 g)
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons salted butter, melted (50 g) plus extra for greasing if needed
For the lemon cheesecake filling
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened use full-fat block cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g)
  • 1/4 cup fresh Meyer lemon juice (60 ml) from about 2 lemons
  • 1 lemon Meyer lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature

Method
 

To make the blueberry swirl
  1. Place the blueberries, sugar, and Meyer lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Warm until the berries soften and start releasing their liquid, gently pressing them with a spoon as they cook.
  2. When the mixture begins to bubble steadily, whisk the cornstarch into the water in a tiny bowl until smooth. Pour this slurry into the pan and keep mashing and stirring for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sauce visibly thickens.
  3. Take the pan off the heat, set a fine-mesh sieve over a heatproof bowl, and pour the blueberry mixture through the sieve. Press on the solids to extract as much sauce as possible, then discard the skins and let the blueberry sauce cool completely.
To make the graham cracker crust
  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Fit 14 standard muffin cups with paper liners across one or two muffin tins.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir with a fork until every crumb is moistened.
  3. Spoon the crumb mixture evenly into the 14 lined wells, pressing each portion firmly into an even layer. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove the pan(s) to a wire rack to cool. Keep the oven at 325°F.
To make the lemon cheesecake filling
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until completely smooth and fluffy.
  2. Mix in the Meyer lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until the yolk disappears.
  3. Divide the cheesecake filling equally among the 14 prepared crusts. Drop about 1 teaspoon of the cooled blueberry sauce onto each and drag a toothpick or the tip of a knife through the surface to create marbled swirls.
  4. Bake at 325°F for 17 to 20 minutes, or until the tops look set and barely jiggle in the center. If you used two pans, bake them on separate oven racks or in batches.
  5. Let the cheesecakes cool on the counter for at least 1 hour.
  6. Once cool, lift the cheesecakes out of the muffin tin and transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours or overnight to fully set, then serve chilled.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 154mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14g

Notes

For the brightest flavor, use California Meyer lemons if you can find them; their sweeter, floral juice is lovely here.
Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps in the filling.
Do not overmix once the eggs are added; too much beating can cause cracks on top.
The blueberry swirl can be made up to 3 days ahead and kept refrigerated in an airtight container.
Chill the cheesecakes for at least 4 hours so they set properly before serving.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a few fresh blueberries on top for a pretty finish.

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