Mini Cheesecakes - help!

[SJayneW]

I wanted to make mini cheesecakes for dessert at my exchange. My thought is to - maybe - use a vanilla wafer for the crust, then make a basic cheesecake filling, and I can add different flavors to make an assortment.

I've never done this; has anyone else? And can anyone offer any tips or a good - failproof - recipe.

[Jeanine]

this is actually one of my favorite recipes! i add the cherry pie filling as a topping. it's delicious. here's a recipe i use often. it works every time for me ... and sometimes they collapse just a little in the middle, which ends up being perfect for any topping you may use.

1 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line miniature muffin tins with miniature paper liners. (i also use "regular sized" muffin tins)
Place one vanilla wafer in the bottom of each cup (the original recipe suggests that you crush the wafers and put 1/2 tsp of crushed wafers in cup, but i just use a whole cookie)
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy. Fill each muffin liner with this mixture, almost to the top.
Bake for 15 minutes. Cool. Top with a teaspoonful of cherry pie filling.

[SJayneW]

Thanks Jeanine!!

[Bonnie]

You could make a variety by adding either cherries, blueberries or apples to the top (they come in cans near the baking section). Also, I have used shaved chocolate (HUGE favorite). Just take a Hershey's candy bar and your potato peeler to make the shavings.