A RECIPE FOR YOU TODAY - Caramel Cheesecake Bites

Caramel Cheesecake Bites 

Ingredients

1/2 cup Slivered almonds
1/4 cup Granulated sugar
1/4 cup Fine sea salt
1/4 tsp Ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp Baking soda
1/4 cup Melted butter
1 cup Almond meal / flour

CARAMEL:
1/2 cup Granulated sugar
2 TBSP Water
1 TBSP Butter
1/2 cup Evaporated milk

CAKES:
19 oz. Cream cheese
3 Eggs
1/4 cup Granulated sugar
1 TBSP Vanilla

Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
#1 CRUST: In a mixing bowl whisk together the almond flour, almonds, baking soda, salt, sugar and cinnamon.

Add the butter and combine with a spoon.

Line a muffin tin with liners.

Push the almond mixture into the bottom of the liners and press the mixture about halfway up the sides of the tin.

Bake for 10 minutes to set.

Turn oven down to 300° for cakes.

#2 CARAMEL: Combine granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until sugar dissolves, stirring gently for 3 minutes.

Stop stirring and continue cooking 10 minutes or until mixture is the color of light brown sugar.

Remove from heat; carefully stir in butter and milk.

Place pan over medium-high heat until caramelized sugar melts.

Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute.

Remove pan from heat; cool caramel to room temperature.

Cover and chill 1 hour or until slightly thickened.

#3 FILLING: While caramel is cooling, in a mixing bowl, add cream cheese, vanilla, sugar and eggs.

Beat until light and fluffy. Spoon mixture into the muffin tins with prepared almond crust.

Bake for 40 minutes.

Take cheesecakes out of the oven when they are done.

Once cool, the middle will slightly fall and this is the perfect indent for the caramel.

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cooled caramel over each cheesecake.