Ingredients
Method
Method
- Heat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. This temperature is gentle enough to bake the cheesecake centers without excessive browning.
- In a bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and salt until evenly moistened. The mixture should resemble damp sand and hold together when pressed.
- Divide the crumb mixture evenly among the 12 liners, using about 1 1/2 tablespoons per cup. Press firmly into an even layer. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes while preparing the filling.
- Beat the softened cream cheese and sugar on medium-low speed until smooth, about 1–2 minutes. Add the flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla and mix just until combined. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed just until each egg disappears into the batter. Avoid whipping excessive air into the filling. The finished batter should be smooth, thick, and pourable.
- Divide the cheesecake batter evenly among the cooled crusts, filling each liner about 3/4 full. Gently tap the pan once or twice on the counter to release large air bubbles.
- Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 18–22 minutes. The edges should look set while the centers still have a small, controlled jiggle when the pan is gently moved. Do not wait for the centers to become completely firm.
- Place the muffin pan on a wire rack and let the cheesecakes cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Once they are no longer warm, refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 3 hours, before adding the blueberry topping.
- Reserve 1/2 cup (75 g) of the blueberries for finishing. Add the remaining 1 cup (150 g) blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until several berries burst and release their juices.
- Stir together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Add the slurry to the simmering blueberries and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat a spoon. Remove from the heat and cool completely.
- Spoon the cooled blueberry topping over the chilled cheesecakes. Finish each with a few of the reserved fresh blueberries. For clean presentation, remove the paper liners just before serving. Keep the cheesecakes refrigerated until ready to eat.
