01 -
Grab a small bowl and add your graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter. Use a fork to mix everything together until all the crumbs are moistened and the mixture resembles wet sand. Divide this mixture evenly among your 4-ounce jars and press it down firmly to form the crust layer. Set these aside while you make the filling.
02 -
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with the granulated sugar and vanilla extract until it's smooth and creamy. Take care not to overmix - just until everything is well blended. Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and add the lemon juice, then mix again just until combined. The lemon juice helps the mixture firm up, so don't skip it!
03 -
Spoon your cream cheese mixture into each jar, on top of the graham cracker crusts. Leave a little room at the top of each jar so you'll have space for toppings later. For a prettier presentation, you can use a piping bag to pipe the filling in, but a spoon works just fine too.
04 -
Cover each jar with its lid or with plastic wrap. Pop them in the freezer for about 15 minutes - this helps them set up quickly. After that, transfer them to the refrigerator where they'll continue to firm up until you're ready to serve them.
05 -
When you're ready to serve, add your favorite toppings. Fresh berries are always a hit, but cherry pie filling or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce are amazing too. You can set out a few different toppings and let everyone customize their own mini cheesecake!