In The Kitchen - Mini Cheesecake Jars

                                                         Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Living


When I saw a recipe for mini cheesecakes jars featured in the December issue of Martha Stewart Living I knew I had to give it a try! Who doesn't love cheesecake? I made these mini cheesecakes for Christmas gifts and put pretty bows on the lids. I also made a batch for my sister's birthday and put them in little basket lined with new dish towels, they made a great gift that she really loved.

Ingredients

• For The Cheesecake

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 4 ounces sour cream (1/2 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon fruit preserves or jam

• For The Graham Topping

  • 1/2 cup finely ground graham crackers (from 4 crackers)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Make the cheesecakes: Beat cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes more. Reduce speed to low. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Raise speed to medium. Add sour cream, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Beat for 3 minutes.
2. Divide batter among six 6-ounce jars, filling each two-thirds full. Transfer jars to a deep baking dish; add enough boiling water to dish to reach halfway up the sides of the jars. Cover dish with foil; cut 8 slits into top to vent. Bake until set in the center, about 25 minutes. Let cool. Refrigerate overnight to set.
3. Meanwhile, make the graham topping: Stir together graham-cracker crumbs and butter. Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 10 minutes. Let cool.
4. Top each cheesecake with 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons preserves. Divide graham topping among jars (about 1 heaping tablespoon each).