Steps
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a small bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until combined. Press about 1 tablespoon of this mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner to form the crust.
3. In another bowl, beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk until smooth and creamy.
4. Spoon the cheesecake mixture over the graham cracker crusts in each liner, filling them about 3/4 full.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the center is set. Let them cool completely.
6. Once cooled, sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar on top of each cupcake.
7. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it forms a crispy, golden layer. If you don’t have a torch, you can place them under a broiler for a few minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
8. Let the brûlée topping cool and harden before serving.