Mexican Cajeta Cheesecake Cups with Crumbled Cinnamon Tortillas
Dessert
EASY
Creamy, no-bake individual cheesecake cups layered with sweet Mexican caramel (cajeta) and topped with crispy cinnamon-sugar tortilla crumbles, finished with a drizzle of chocolate. Rich, elegant, and perfectly portioned for entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 16 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.75 cup cajeta
- 3 flour tortillas, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 ounce dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 0.125 teaspoon sea salt
Steps
- Combine 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 4 tablespoons melted butter, and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Divide the crust mixture evenly among six serving glasses, pressing gently with the back of a spoon to form a thin, even base layer. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
- Pat 16 ounces softened cream cheese into a food processor and blend until completely smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
- Add 1/4 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the processor and blend until combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form, about 2–3 minutes of whisking by hand.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture in two additions, using a spatula to preserve the airiness.
- Spoon half of the cheesecake filling into each glass on top of the crust base, dividing evenly.
- Drizzle approximately 2 tablespoons of cajeta over the filling in each glass and gently swirl with a small spoon.
- Cut three 6-inch flour tortillas into thin strips (approximately 1/4 inch wide) and toss with 2 tablespoons melted butter until evenly coated.
- In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons sugar and 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the tortilla strips and toss until the mixture is fully coated.
- Arrange the cinnamon-sugar tortilla strips on a paper towel-lined plate in a single layer. Let them dry and crisp at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Place 2 ounces chopped dark chocolate and 1 tablespoon coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth (approximately 40–60 seconds total).
- Remove cheesecake cups from the refrigerator. Drizzle the melted chocolate decoratively over the top of each cup in thin lines.
- Top each cup with a handful of the cinnamon-sugar tortilla strips, arranging them at an angle for visual height and texture.
- Refrigerate the finished cups for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and the cheesecake to set firmly.