Lemon Cheesecake Cupcakes

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
2. 2
   Crust: In a small bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and brown sugar.
3. 3
   Press crumb mixture into bottoms of prepared baking cups.
4. 4
   Filling: In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse cream cheese until smooth.
5. 5
   Add sugar, pulsing until smooth.
6. 6
   Add sour cream and process until smooth.
7. 7
   Add eggs and lemon zest, pulsing until smooth (you dont want to overprocess the mixture; you just want it to be smooth).
8. 8
   Scoop filling over crust in baking cups.
9. 9
   Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes or until the centers of cupcakes are firm.
10. 10
    Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes.
11. 11
    Remove from pan and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
12. 12
    Before serving, place a dollop of lemon curd over top of each cupcake and swirl lightly with back of spoon.
13. 13
    Variation: Place a small dollop of whipped cream over the lemon curd before serving.