When I have kids I want to be that mom.
The mom who effortlessly has perfect hair, and never embarrasses her kids in front of other people (ha!).
The mom who makes the world’s best chocolate chip cookies (shout-out to Monica from Friends!), and whose kids host the most fun sleepovers.
The mom who is never without tissues when someone needs one, always has band-aids at the ready, and can whip up a batch of treats for a party on a whim.
Yeah, I’m starting to realize that that mom might not really exist. (And also, I think I should start working on the hair thing now, lol.)
But that doesn’t stop me from stocking up on an arsenal of recipes that will one day come in handy for things like classroom holiday parties and weekend sleepovers. Like these Individual Cookies and Cream Cheesecakes.
This makes a pretty big recipe; definitely enough for a classroom of kids, a couple teachers, and at least one to test for “quality control”. But the recipe is also easy to cut in half if you only need about a dozen though (to cut it in half, use 1 whole large egg plus 1 large egg yolk; all the other ingredients can easily be halved).
And it’s good cheesecake, really good cheesecake. So good it might instantly become your favorite cheesecake recipe, and you might start telling yourself that you need to make it (you know, on a random Tuesday evening), “for the kids”. Hey, I get it. I won’t judge. It might just make you the coolest mom ever. ;)
- 2 (8 oz/226 g) blocks cream cheese (regular or low-fat), at room temperature
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- 16 oz (450 g) sour cream (regular or low-fat)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 large package of chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Oreos (you will need about 40 cookies)
- Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
- Chopped chocolate, for serving (optional)
- Preheat oven to 325F; line 28 muffin wells with paper liners and place 1 chocolate sandwich cookie in the bottom of each.
- Use a handheld electric mixer to beat the cream cheese until smooth in a large bowl.
- Cream in the eggs and sugar, and then the sour cream, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Crush 12 chocolate sandwich cookies and fold them into the cheesecake batter.
- Divide the batter between the prepared muffin wells; bake until the cheesecakes are set along the outside, but still slightly jiggly in the center, about 20 minutes.
- Immediately turn off the oven and open the oven door about 2 inches; allow the cheesecakes to come to room temperature like this, making sure the door stays ajar (it will take a couple hours).
- Once at room temperature, refrigerate the cheesecakes at least 4 hours before serving.
- Serve topped with whipped cream and chopped chocolate if desired.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Diane says
December 12, 2014 at 6:19 amLove, love cheesecake, will certainly try this recipe. Thanks Have a great Christmas and all the best for 2015. Diane
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
December 12, 2014 at 11:37 amThese are so fun! My friend Susanne was just asking me last night for a recommendation for a treat to take into her son’s class – these are perfect!! Thank you…
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
December 12, 2014 at 4:25 pmHehe I’d want to be that mum too! I doubt I’d achieve it but hey we can dream? :P If you made these, your kid would totally be the most popular :)
Joanne says
December 20, 2014 at 10:06 amWell you have definitely got the awesome treat thing down! These are fabulous.