Pineapple Cream Cheese Tartlets

INGREDIENTS:

For the Crust:

.  1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
.  ¼ cup granulated sugar
.  ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling:

.  8 oz cream cheese, softened
.  ½ cup granulated sugar
.  1 tsp vanilla extract
.  1 cup heavy cream, whipped

For the Topping:

.  1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained
.  ¼ cup pineapple juice (reserved from the can)
.  2 tbsp cornstarch
.  2 tbsp sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare the Crust:

.  Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
.  In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and ¼ cup of granulated sugar. Stir until the ingredients are well mixed.
.  Pour in the melted butter and mix until the crumbs are evenly coated and resemble wet sand.
.  Press the mixture evenly into the bottoms and sides of a mini tartlet pan or into individual muffin tins lined with cupcake liners. Use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass to press the crust down firmly.
.  Bake the crusts in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before adding the filling.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:

.  In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and ½ cup of granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy, using an electric mixer on medium speed.
.  Add the vanilla extract and continue beating until well incorporated.
.  In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip the cream, as you want it to be light and fluffy.
.  Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined. Be sure to fold rather than stir to maintain the airy texture of the filling.

3. Prepare the Pineapple Topping:

.  In a small saucepan, combine the reserved ¼ cup of pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
.  Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it begins to thicken. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly …