Diamonds And Salted Caramel Are A Girls Best Friend Cheesecake Cupcake Recipes

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch rectangular baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
• Place the graham crackers and pecans into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture becomes crumbs. Add the butter and vanilla and pulse again until combined. Pour into the prepared pan and press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. If they come up the sides, that's okay!
• For the filling: Beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Add the sour cream and mix again.
• Pour the mixture into the crust, smooth the top and bake for 50 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the door, leaving the cheesecake to sit in the oven with the door open for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool for an hour.
• For the caramel topping: Add the brown sugar and butter to a pan, set over medium heat and cook, stirring, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Add the condensed milk, corn syrup and vanilla and bring to a boil, stirring continuously.
• Place a candy thermometer in the caramel mixture and continue to boil until the caramel reaches 225 degrees F. Turn off the heat and let the caramel cool for about 5 minutes before pouring over the cheesecake.
• Allow to set for 2 hours, then cut into squares with a sharp knife. Arrange on a plate and garnish each square with a pinch of sea salt.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet. Bake until toasted, about 8 minutes. Let cool, then chop.
• Coat a 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang; coat the parchment with cooking spray.
• Make the cheesecake batter: Beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Beat in 1 egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until combined; set aside.
• Make the blondie batter: Whisk the flour, baking powder and fine salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the melted butter and brown sugar in a large bowl; whisk in the remaining 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla until combined. Fold in the flour mixture with a rubber spatula until just combined. Stir in 3/4 cup pecans.
• Spread half of the blondie batter in the prepared pan. Top with half of the cheesecake batter in spoonfuls. Warm the caramel sauce in the microwave, then drizzle between the spoonfuls of cheesecake batter. Top with the remaining blondie batter, then the remaining cheesecake batter in spoonfuls. Using the tip of a butter knife, gently swirl together to create a marbled effect.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pan, then lift the blondies out of the pan using the parchment and transfer to a rack. Drizzle with more caramel sauce and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup pecans and the fleur de sel. Refrigerate until completely cooled, about 2 hours. Cut into squares.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line mini cupcake pans with paper liners (for a total of 36 mini cupcakes).
• For the lemon cupcake: In a small bowl, combine the self-rising and all-purpose flours. Set aside.
• Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter on medium speed until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy. Beat in the egg. Add the flour mixture in two parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla, and mix until well blended. Fold in the lemon zest and juice.
• For the lemon cheesecake: Mix together the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and egg in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Mix in the lemon zest and juice.
• Layer the cupcake liners with lemon cupcake batter first. Then add a layer of the lemon cheesecake batter. Fill the liners with both batters about three-quarters full because the cupcakes will rise. (Depending on your layering technique, you may have more of one batter than the other. You can always make straight cupcakes or cheesecakes with the extra batter.)
• Bake about 18 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
• For the whipped cream cheese frosting: Using a stand mixer, cream together the cream cheese and butter. Mix in the confectioners' sugar. Add the whipping cream and vanilla and whip until stiff.
• Put the frosting in a piping bag and frost the cooled cupcakes generously.