The simplest way to prepare cheesecake, short of buying a frozen one, is to bake miniature versions in a muffin pan, with small vanilla wafers as the crust.

Drop one wafer into the bottom of each well in the pan, then pour your cheesecake batter on top and bake. The cookies act as a sturdy base and won't turn soggy during baking.

This provides plenty of room to whip up a homemade filling or experiment with fun toppings you might have otherwise left on the cutting room floor.

If you want more pizzazz in your mini cheesecakes, other cookies can sub in for vanilla wafers. Ideas for toppings, from fresh fruit to jams and preserves, are endless.