We’re now well into Spring and our grocery stores are stocked full of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, but these fresh fruits are still a bit out of season and lacking in taste. I’ve found mini cheesecakes to be the perfect remedy. Topped with swirls of jam, they celebrate the coming warm months while boasting of real berry flavor.

Note: I used three 4-inch mini springform pans. I had a bit of crust and filling leftover; I think I could have made four mini cheesecakes if I didn’t fill them all completely full. You could also make this in an 8-inch springform pan. 

For the Crust

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling

• 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup cold heavy cream

For the Jam Swirls

• 1/4 cup jam (I used raspberry)
• 1 tablespoon water

For the Crust

Preheat the oven to 325. Put the graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a medium bowl and whisk together. Pour the melted butter over the top and stir with a spatula until combined. Press the mixture into the mini springform pans (see above note) and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

For the Filling

In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on high until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar, vanilla, and salt, and beat until smooth. In another bowl using a whisk attachment, whisk the heavy cream on high until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. With a rubber spatula, stir about 1/3 of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, then fold in the remainder.

Transfer the cream cheese filling to the cooled crusts. Decorate with jam swirls (directions below). Refrigerate cheesecake until firm, about 3 hours (or up to 1 day).

For the Jam Swirls 

Combine the jam and water in a small saucepan. Warm together over low heat until the jam is loose. Let cool a bit. Drop the jam in circles over the top of the cheesecakes, and use a skewer to drag the jam through the top of the filling, making swirls.

Enjoy your mini cheesecakes with your mini munchkins :)