Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine waffle come crumbs, 1 and 1/2 TBSP sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of 24 mini muffin cups lined with liners or into the bottoms of 12 mini cheesecake cups.

Combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar in a bowl with electric mixer. Once well blended, add in egg and stir until just blended. Spoon batter over waffle cone crust into pans. Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the centers of cheesecakes are almost set. Remove from oven and cool completely. Store in fridge. If desired top with hot fudge sauce when serving.