Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cupcakes

Chocolate chip cheesecake cupcakes are a delightful treat that combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the indulgent sweetness of chocolate chips. Here's a recipe to guide you through making them:

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 and 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup of unsalted butter, melted

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 16 oz (2 packages) of cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

For Topping:

• Additional chocolate chips for sprinkling

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and set aside.

2. Prepare the Crust:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until well combined and the mixture resembles wet sand.
• Press about 1 tablespoon of the crust mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to press it down firmly.
• Place the muffin tin in the refrigerator while you prepare the cheesecake filling.

3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
• Gently fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

4. Fill the Cupcake Liners:

• Remove the muffin tin from the refrigerator and evenly distribute the cheesecake filling among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.

5. Bake:

• Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are slightly jiggly.
• Remove from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Chill:

• Once cooled to room temperature, place the cupcakes in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours, or until fully set.

7. Serve:

• Before serving, sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top of each cupcake, if desired.
• Enjoy your delicious chocolate chip cheesecake cupcakes!

These cupcakes are perfect for any occasion and are sure to impress your friends and family with their creamy texture and decadent flavor. Enjoy!