Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients—fresh, high-quality dairy and real vanilla beans make all the difference. I always reach for full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream because that richness is non-negotiable here. And if you can find a fresh vanilla bean or good-quality vanilla bean paste, you’ll notice a depth of flavor that no extract can quite match. For the crunchy brûlée topping, granulated sugar is essential to get that perfect caramelization.
- 12 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for topping
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or seeds from 1 vanilla bean
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar together until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for a silky texture.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure they fully incorporate without overbeating.
- Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla bean paste or scraped seeds. The vanilla bean seeds give this cheesecake its signature speckled look and rich aroma.
- Fold in the flour and salt gently, just until combined. This helps the cheesecake set properly without becoming dense.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still have a slight wobble. This keeps the texture creamy and not overcooked.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours to firm up.
- Before serving, sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar on top of each cupcake. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp. If you don’t have a torch, you can broil them briefly, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Cupcakes, recipe, cooking, food
