Marilyn Monmosa Cheesecake Cupcake Recipes

CHEESECAKE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup standard muffin tins with paper liners.
• Combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, cinnamon and butter in a small bowl. Drop a heaping tablespoon of graham cracker mixture into each muffin cup. Press to create a firm layer of crust on the bottom. Bake 7 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
• For the cupcakes: Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
• Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl between additions. Beat in the vanilla.
• Whisk together the sour cream and the milk. Add the flour mixture and milk mixture in three additions, alternating between wet and dry ingredients and starting and ending with flour mixture. Beat just until well combined, taking care not to overmix.
• For the filling: Beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg just until combined. Spoon the filling into a pastry bag fitted with a medium-size plain tip (Ateco 800). Insert the tip into the top of each cupcake batter and squeeze the filling until the batter rises to fill each cup about three-quarters of the way up the side of the tin.
• Bake until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted about 3/4 inch from the edge of the cupcakes comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the tins on a rack for 10 minutes, and then remove from the tins and cool completely.
• For the frosting: Using an electric or stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together at medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat in the sour cream and lemon juice. On low speed, gradually add the confectioners' sugar and beat until well combined.
• Frost the cupcakes as desired. Garnish with graham cracker pieces.

DIANA'S FAVORITE LEMON MOUSSE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Combine crushed graham crackers, melted butter and 1/4 cup sugar. Press graham cracker crust in the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan coming up about 1-inch on the sides. Seal the outside of the pan with foil and set in a baking dish. Add water to the baking dish to come 1-inch up the sides. Bake crust for 10 minutes.
• Zest lemons until you have 1 tablespoon of lemon zest. Place zest in a small bowl and set aside. Squeeze the lemons to acquire 3/4 cup lemon juice and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, with paddle, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add egg yolks, flour, lemon juice, and zest and beat until smooth.
• In a separate mixing bowl, whip the egg whites to soft peaks. Add remaining sugar to the egg whites and continue to whip until stiff peaks have formed. Fold the egg whites into the lemon batter. Pour batter into the crust. Bake cheesecake until set and golden, about 55 to 65 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a cooling rack, about 4 hours. Once cooled, refrigerate uncovered until chilled. Add pre-made Lemon Curd on top of cheesecake. Loosen sides with a cake spatula before unmolding and serve.
• Over medium heat whisk to combine yolks, zest, lemon juice and sugar in a 1 quart saucepan.
• Cook for approximately 8 minutes until the mixture thickens and looks smooth. Remove saucepan from heat and add butter, one piece at a time with a wooden spoon until it is fully incorporated. Pour mixture into a bowl and put plastic directly on top of mixture.
• Let cool on counter then refrigerate.

CHEESECAKE CUPCAKES WITH SOUR CREAM TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line four 12-cup cupcake tins with heavyweight aluminum liners, and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides as needed.
• In a large bowl, whisk together sugar and flour. With mixer on low speed, gradually add sugar mixture to cream cheese; mix until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined; do not overmix.
• Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, 4 ounces per cupcake. Bake for 15 minutes.
• Cool slightly until cupcakes become concave. In a medium bowl, stir together sour cream, sugar, and vanilla to make the sour cream topping.
• Place a heaping tablespoon of topping in the center of each cupcake, and spread gently to edges of liner. Return to oven for 10 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature on a wire rack and chill in the refrigerator until cold, at least two hours. Add small bunches of currants for decoration if desired.