Preheat oven to 350°.
Prep food items- melt butter, zest lemon, soften cream cheese, set out eggs to room temperature, and measure other ingredients.
If not using prepared graham cracker crumbs, add 12 whole graham crackers to a food processor to make your own OR add to a zippered food bag and use a rolling pin to make crumbs for the crust.
Add melted butter and graham cracker crumbs into a small mixing bowl and combine.
Line muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
Add 1-2 T (equal amounts) graham cracker crumbs to each cupcake liner, using a 1/4 C dry measuring cup to press crumbs evenly into each liner.
In a large mixer bowl, add softened cream cheese and sugar and mix on high for 2 minutes until smooth.
Add in vanilla, 1 t lemon zest, and egg and beat on low until incorporated and smooth.NOTE: save the rest of the lemon zest to garnish the cheesecakes. Use a scoop to equally add cheesecake filling to each muffin liner.
Bake for 15-17 minutes in preheated 350° oven OR until the center of the cheesecake is only slightly jiggly. NOTE: Over baking occurs when they crack, Allow cheesecakes to cool to room temperature before adding them to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
To serve, remove cupcake liners (if desired) and top with whipped cream and/or fresh fruit.