Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
- 16 oz (2 packages) of cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of lime zest
- 2 tablespoons of tequila (optional for a boozy kick)
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the topping:
- Whipped cream
- Thin lime slices or zest for garnish
- A pinch of sea salt for a margarita-like touch
Instructions
1. Preparing the crust:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter and stir until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Spoon the mixture into a lined mini cheesecake pan, pressing it down firmly to create a base for each cheesecake.
- Bake for 5 minutes, then set aside to cool while preparing the filling.
2. Making the cheesecake filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating on low speed to avoid incorporating too much air.
- Fold in the flour, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, tequila, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Pour the filling over the pre-baked crusts, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
3. Baking the mini cheesecakes:
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the centers are set but still slightly jiggly.
- Allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor and texture.
4. Garnishing and serving:
- Before serving, top each mini cheesecake with a dollop of whipped cream, a lime slice, and a sprinkle of sea salt for an authentic margarita taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes