#3646 - Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 TBSP white sugar
3 TBSP butter (melted)
2 - 8oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
vanilla frosting
strawberry preserves

In a bowl add graham cracker crumbs, 2 TBSP white sugar and melted butter--stir to mix. Place 18 cupcake liners into muffin tins. Spoon the graham cracker mixture evenly into the cupcake liners, then use your thumb to lightly flatten down the graham cracker mixture in each liner. In a mixer add cream cheese--beat. Add 1/2 cup white sugar and the vanilla--beat. Add eggs--beat. Spoon batter over graham cracker mixture in each liner until each liner is 3/4 full. Bake at 325 degrees 23-27 minutes or until cream cheese batter is set. Cool completely. Frost the cupcakes with your favorite vanilla frosting, then use your thumb to make a small well in the center of the frosting on each cupcake. Place a dollop of strawberry preserves into the well in the frosting of each cupcake.