Creating these delightful Vanilla Bean Creme Brule Cheesecake Cupcakes is easy if you follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

2. Prepare the Crust:
– In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined.
– Press about a tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner to form a crust.

3. Blend the Cream Cheese Filling:
– In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
– Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
– Stir in the flour, vanilla bean paste, and vanilla extract until blended.

4. Fill the Cupcake Liners:
– Spoon the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust, filling each liner about 3/4 full.

5. Bake: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the center sets but still has a slight jiggle.

6. Cool Completely: After baking, allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

7. Caramelize the Topping:
– Once the cupcakes are completely cool, sprinkle a thin layer of sugar on top of each one.
– Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it melts and forms a golden crust. If you don’t have a torch, you can place them under a broiler, but watch carefully to avoid burning.