Mini Lime Cheesecakes

  Cheesecake is one dessert I have a hard time passing up and when you add lemon or lime to the mixture, well, I'm all in.  I like to make mini cheesecakes as opposed to a regular sized cheesecake because #1, portion control is my friend when it comes to these and #2, they take 15 minutes(ish) to bake, rather than 45.  It makes for a quick & easy dessert option when I'm in a pinch!

the instagram shot, this recipe makes about 1 dozen cupcakes

 To make your own delicious lime cheese-cupcakes...

You'll need:

1 package from one box of graham crackers, crumbled

3 TBSP butter

1 package of cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup powdered sugar (still looking for a good natural option to this--raw sugar does not work...trust me, I tried)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

juice of one lime

1/4 tsp lime zest

And here's what you do:

Preheat oven to 325*

Combine graham crackers in a food processor until sufficiently crumbled (or crush them to death with your hands, whatever works)

Add 3 TBSP butter, melted & mix until evenly distributed.  Place cupcake liners in cupcake tin & pat down 2 TBSP graham cracker mixture into each liner.

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth, add powdered sugar & mix well.  Still beating, add in 1 egg, juice of lime, & vanilla until well blended.  Stir in the zest.  Distribute mixture into cupcake liners, until each is about 2/3 filled.  Bake at 325* for approx. 18 minutes or until done.  Cool completely, then chill for 2 hours.  Finally, for good measure, garnish with whipped cream & zest of lime.  Enjoy :)