A deceptively easy dessert recipe for your Easter brunch!

I have had this recipe since I was a young bride. It never fails to make a beautiful impression, though it's a snap to make. These little cakes look beautiful presented on a vintage glass plate or a pedestal cake plate. Try them for Easter...your family and guests will love them...promise!

Cheesecake Cupcakes:
3, 8 ounce packages cream cheese (sometimes I use 2 fat free and one regular)
1 1/2 cups sugar
6 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 box regular or low fat vanilla wafers
24 foil cupcake liners
berries for topping
fruit pie glaze or jelly for topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend first four ingredients together (preferably using a mixer) until smooth and creamy. It just takes about 5 minutes. Place 24 foil cupcake liners in muffin pans. I usually lightly spray the liners with Pam too. Place one vanilla wafer in the bottom of each liner, flat side down (though the universe will go on if the round side ends up down!). Place the cream cheese filling in each liner over the wafer. I use a level 1/3 measuring cup full for each cupcake and it is just about perfect. There should be just enough to make 24 cupcakes. Bake at 350 for 22 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool. The centers will depress a little as they cool.

Toppings:
Our favorite is strawberry. I slice fresh berries in half or in several slices depending on their size, or you can use one whole smallish berry for each cupcake. I stir them up in a bowl with enough strawberry pie glaze to coat them, then spoon a tablespoon or so to the top of each cupcake. You could also use raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, anything you like. If you can't find pie glaze for the berry you choose to use, just use jelly, jam, or preserves. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Everyone will love these and think you did something wonderful, even though the whole process will take about 45 minutes...I promise!

NOTE:
You can also use mini muffin pans and liners - they look beautiful on pretty dessert trays with mixed toppings for parties or showers. Bake them about 18- 20 minutes. You will end up with about 48 mini cupcakes.