📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place paper liners into a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of each muffin liner to form the crust. Pro-Tip: Use the bottom of a measuring cup to really pack those crumbs down tight!
3. Bake the crusts for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly while you prepare the filling. Don't skip this step; it helps the crust hold its shape.
4. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until it's smooth and creamy. This is where an electric mixer comes in handy. Nobody wants lumpy cheesecake!
5. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until well combined. Make sure there are no lumps of sugar remaining.
6. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Don't over-mix at this stage; you want a smooth, not airy, batter.
7. Stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract until just combined. A spatula works great here to gently fold everything together.
8. Slowly pour in the champagne, mixing until the batter is smooth and even. The batter should now have a lovely, delicate champagne aroma. If you dont smell it. Maybe its a fake.
9. Divide the cheesecake filling evenly among the prepared muffin liners, filling each about ¾ full.
10. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still have a slight jiggle. They should look pale and delicious.
11. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecakes cool inside for 1 hour with the oven door slightly ajar. This helps prevent cracking.
12. Remove the cheesecakes from the oven and let them cool completely at room temperature. Then, transfer them to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. Patience, young Padawan. It's gonna be worth it!
13. Just before serving, use a vegetable peeler to create chocolate shavings from a bar of good quality dark chocolate. I like using Ghirardelli for this.
14. Garnish each cheesecake with the chocolate shavings. Try to use those big curls for extra decadence and, like, just 'wow factor'.
15. Serve and enjoy these delightful Mini Champagne Cheesecakes! Trust me, they'll be the hit of any party.