Recipe Talk

Paula Deen's Mini Cheesecakes

Cream Cheese Tarts

A wonderful little cheesecake for a dessert
buffet. It is incredibly easy to make and looks
and tastes very impressive. I saw Paula Deen
make them on FoodTV and I couldn't wait to try
them myself. Use canned pie filling, fresh fruit
or use your imagination!

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 eggs

12 vanilla wafers

1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling or
blueberry pie filling (or whatever else suits
your fancy)

12 servings

35 minutes 15 mins prep

Preheat oven to 350degreesF.

Place a paper cupcake liner in each cup (12
total) of muffin pan.

Beat cream cheese with electric mixer until
fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla, beating well. Add
eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.

Place a vanilla wafer FLAT side down, in each
muffin cup. Spoon cream cheese mixture over
wafers filling each to about 1/4 inch from top
of paper.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Allow tarts to cool completely before filling.

When you remove the tarts from the oven, they
will be puffed up, but as they cool, the center will sink, creating the perfect well to fill with a couple of spoonfuls of your favorite filling.

Chill thoroughly before serving.

I've been making these for years. Imagine my surprise when I saw Paula make them today!! Nilla Wafers and all. Of course, now my fans will know how easy it is!