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1
Preheat oven to 300u00b0F.
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2
Mix crumbs, the 3 tablespoons sugar and butter; press scant 1/3 cup crumb mixture onto bottom of each of 4 mini (4-1/2-inch) springform pans. Bake at 300u00b0F (150u00b0C) for 7 minutes.
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3
Mix cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
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4
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended.
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5
Decide what variations you'll make and pour 1/4 of the batter (about 1 cup) into each of 4 bowls. Add one of the stir-In variations to each bowl of batter, as desired. Pour over crusts. Place pans on cookie sheet.
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6
Bake at 300u00b0F (150u00b0C) for 40 to 45 minutes, or until centers are almost set. Run knife or metal spatula around rims of pans to loosen cakes; cool before removing rims of pans. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
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7
Topping Ideas to garnish: Fresh fruits, such as strawberry halves, slices of kiwi, whole raspberries, sliced peaches, or chocolate curls can be placed in the middle of cheesecakes, for garnish, before serving.
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8
STIR-IN VARIATIONS ~ For each 1/4 portion of batter (approximately 1 cup), stir in one of the following:
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9
APPLE PIE MINI CHEESECAKE: Stir in 1/8 teaspoon. ground cinnamon; pour over crust. Bake as directed. Top cheesecake with combined 1/2 cup warmed apple pie filling and 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar.
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10
NEW YORK MINI CHEESECAKE: Stir in 1/4 cup sour cream and 1 tablespoon flour.
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11
CHOCOLATE CHUNK MINI CHEESECAKE: Stir in 1/4 cup milk chocolate chunks.
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12
CITRUS MINI CHEESECAKE: Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon, orange, or lime juice; 1 teaspoon flour and 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon, orange. or lime zest.
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13
S'MORES MINI CHEESECAKE: Stir in 3 tablespoons milk chocolate chunks; pour over crust. Top with 1/4 cup miniature marshmallows and 1 tablespoon broken graham crackers.
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14
COOKIES AND CREAM MINI CHEESECAKE: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cookies, such as Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies or Chips Ahoy! Chocolate Chip Cookies.
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15
CHOCOLATE ROYALE MINI CHEESECAKE: Stir in 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted.
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16
PEANUT BUTTER MINI CHEESECAKE: Stir in 2 tablespoons peanut butter and 1 tablespoon milk.
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17
MOCHA MINI CHEESECAKE: Mix 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules with 2 teaspoons hot water. Stir into batter along with 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted.
