Dulce de Leche and Coconut Mini Cheesecakes

by Erica Dinho on December 2, 2012

Dulce de Leche, Coconut and Cheesecake, what could taste better than this heavenly combination of ingredients? Today I’m sharing a must-try dessert, Dulce de Leche and Coconut Mini Cheesecakes, a sweet indulgence to brighten your day. As a food blogger, I love to take classic recipes and add my own Latin touch.

These easy to prepare mini cheese cakes are fabulous for dinner parties and can be made in advance for convenience. Of course you could make the dulce de leche from scratch if you prefer, but store bought should save some time and be easier for you. This version of cheesecake is creamy, has just the right amount of sweetness, and the texture was fantastic.

Buen provecho!

Ingredients:
(12 mini cheesecakes)

Coconut-Graham Cracker Crust:
1 cup cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
5 tablespoons of sweet shredded coconut, plus more for garnish

For the filling:
16 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup dulce de leche
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract

Directions:

1. Preheat an oven to 325°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter, shredded coconut and the 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and stir until blended. Divide the mixture among the prepared pan. Using the bottom of a small glass or a spoon, press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the liners. Bake the crusts for about 8 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool.

3. Make the cheesecake mixture: Using an electric mixer, add the cream cheese and dulce de leche and beat on low speed until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl often.

4. Add the sugar and continue mixing until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, then the coconut milk and coconut extract, using a spatula to scrape down the bowl between additions, and beat until just combined.

5. Pour the filling into the crusts, dividing it evenly among each liner. Bake until the filling is set, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer the pan to the wire rack and let cool to room temperature. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 2 days before serving. Top with shredded coconut before serving.