Mini Cheesecake Tarts

I think we made these every year around Christmas for as long as I can remember... But for some reason I find lots of other occasions to make them throughout the year - I think mostly because I just want an excuse to eat cheesecake!  They're great for all sorts of gatherings because they're quick, easy, and yummy, but they're especially fun at patriotic holidays because they're easy to decorate with red, white, and blue! They're great for pot-lucks, block parties, baby and wedding showers, and things like that because they're already packaged in nice single servings. And the great thing is that you can top them with whatever you want. After they've chilled they have a perfect well in the center to fill with whatever you'd like!  

INGREDIENTS:
12 Nilla Wafer Cookies
2 8oz packages cream cheese
3/4 C sugar
2 Tbs flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 Tbs fresh lemon juice
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Foil cupcake liners

Optional Toppings:
canned pie filling
fresh berries
whipped cream
chocolate sauce
caramel sauce
lemon curd

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375. Soften cream cheese if needed. With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar. Add in flour and baking powder and beat to combine. Then add in eggs, one at a time, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat to combine.

Fill a muffin pan with cupcake liners and place one vanilla wafer at the bottom of each one. Divide batter between 12 muffin papers, filling each cup up to about 1/4 inch from the top. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. They'll puff way up during baking, but they'll settle after being chilled.

When you take them out of the oven, place them on a cooling rack and let them cool completely. While they cool, they will sink down in the center. Don't worry- that's normal! It makes the perfect little well to fill up with the fruit filling. Before you top them, chill in the fridge for at least 4-6 hours or preferably over night. Then top and serve. You can be creative and top with whatever you like, like chocolate, caramel, lemon curd, whatever! Makes 12 cheesecakes.