Mini cheesecakes are just like regular-sized cheesecakes, but lower maintenance. No need for a spring form pan, no need to worry about the tops cracking, no need for a water bath, no need to worry about seepage. They’re so easy to make you really only need to worry about having to stop at eating just one.
Baking a perfect, New York-style cheesecake is an accomplishment for any baker. Smooth top, creamy texture, perfect crust.
Baking a perfect New York-style cheesecake is stressful (for me anyway). Water bath, heavy-duty aluminum foil, spring form pan.
I make them and they are delicious. But I’m far from perfecting the technique (apart from saying “cover the cracks with desired topping”) so that won’t be on the blog today. (Though I make a pretty mean Japanese Cheesecake and Lemon Cheesecake.)
Mini cheesecakes
What we have today is the same delicious cheesecake taste, texture and…nirvana…but without the stress. Isn’t that great?
You don’t need to bother with slicing too. Just sit back, unwrap and bite into mini cheesecake heaven.
Bake in cupcake pans
What you do is take your cheesecake batter and bake them in cupcake pans lined with paper liners. Put them in the oven and you’re done. Isn’t that brilliant? Whoever first thought of this has my eternal gratitude.
Personalize your mini cheesecakes
They are so versatile too. You can eat them on their own or, just like their big brother, top them with whatever you like.
Take advantage of whatever fruit is in season, do a salted caramel version or just drizzle with simple chocolate sauce.
You can do whatever you fancy. Having a party? Let each person pick the cheesecake topping of their choice.
Since they are all over Pinterest I tried doing swirly things on top too, using jam (raspberry, blackberry and lemon curd).
Not freaking about cracking
Don’t get me wrong, these little guys will (might) crack on the top too. But mini cheesecakes have a somewhat more rustic look about them that cracks are ok. Totally acceptable. We don’t care about cracks here.
And they are so tiny anyway you won’t notice them. Or by the time you notice them the cheesecake will be halfway inside your mouth.
Bottom line: mini cheesecakes over mama cheesecakes
Sounds like copping out but I am so tempted to just make mini cheesecakes from now on.
Ok.
Fine.
I know I need to master it someday so maybe I’ll just go on a regular-sized cheesecake hiatus while I explore all mini cheesecake possibilities. I just cannot believe how easy these are to make. You won’t believe it too. Try it! Perhaps you’ll go on hiatus with me.
Mini Cheesecakes
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 ½ tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 ½ tbsp salted butter melted
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 2 8-oz block cream cheese room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 pcs large eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sour cream
Instructions
For the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 325F. Prep a 12-cavity cupcake pan by lining it with paper liners. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs, 1 ½ tablespoons sugar and 3 ½ tablespoons melted butter until the crumbs are evenly moist.
- Scoop about 2 teaspoons of the crumbs into each cupcake cup and press firmly down to the bottom of pan (see note).
- Bake for 5 minutes then take out of the oven and set aside to cool (keep the oven on). In the mean time, work on your cheesecake filling.
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- Using a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add ¾ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and 1 teaspoon lemon zest and beat until well combined.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, until each one is incorporated.
- Then add 1 teaspoon vanilla and ¼ cup sour cream and stir until just combined. Remember to scrape the bottom and sides of your bowl.
- Optional step for the creamiest cheesecake: transfer the mixture into another bowl by straining using a fine mesh sieve.
- Scoop the mixture into your prepared baking pan (each cup ⅔ full) and gently drop the pan a few times on the counter to release any air bubbles.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cupcakes are puffy (don't worry, they will deflate as they cool).
- Remove from oven and cool completely in the pan before putting them in the fridge to set completely (3-4 hours).
Notes
- I use a shot glass to press down the crumbs into the cupcake pan – works very well!
- Do you want to put swirly jam on top? Before putting the cheesecakes into the oven put 4-6 drops of jam (I warmed mine in the microwave for a few seconds to make them more spreadable) on top and make swirls using a toothpick or small knife.
- For other toppings (like salted caramel), you can top the cheesecakes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
(Recipe adapted from Cooking Classy).
Happy baking!
Did you make these mini cheesecakes? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you. What’s your favourite cheesecake?
Looking for cakes? Regular-sized ones are here and mini ones are here.
Lisa M
Hi,
Mahalo for the recipe. Do you know if I can use your ube cheesecake recipe and make into these cupcake sized ones?
Jolina
Hi Lisa! I haven’t tried but I think it should work. Just watch your baking time because these mini cheesecakes bake faster.
heather
do you kow if these freeze ok once i cook them? lmk, thx
Jolina
Hi Heather. I’ve only ever chilled them so I can’t say from experience. Here’s a helpful link though: https://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/CheeseCake.htm
Tanya
Ooooh I pinned these! I can almost taste them by just looking at these gorgeous pictures! I can’t wait to try them!
Jolina
Thanks for the pin Tanya! Mini cheesecakes are awesome 🙂 Hope you get to make them soon! (Would love to hear how you like them). Happy Sunday!
Rachel @ Mesa Cooking Co.
So cute! Love these 🙂 I have never actually made cheesecake, but these look like the perfect starting place!
Jolina
Thanks Rachel! Oh yeah, these mini cheesecakes are no-fail 🙂 Hope you like them!
Jen
This looks amazing! 🙂 Do you sell these in Toronto? I would very much like to try them!
Jolina
Thanks very much Jen! Unfortunately I don’t sell them. I did the math and they would come out more expensive than store-bought given the ingredients I use and the volume I am able to churn out (which is 1 a week haha). So bottomline, my family and friends get to enjoy my lovely creations for free lol! I encourage you to try to bake them yourself. I promise it’s easy. If I can do it, anybody can 🙂
Wonda
They were a BIG hit for the 4th of July celebration. The recipe was easy to follow. I doubled the recipe so I would have plenty and added a little cinnamon to the Graham cracker crust.
I topped some of them with a slice of fresh strawberry and a blueberry before serving and they were little bites of heaven.
I will definitely make these again. Everyone loved them.
Jolina
I’m so glad to hear that Wonda! Looks like a fun time. Cinnamon on the graham cracker crust sounds delightful 🙂
Lubka Henry
I’m trying to loose some weight, but you’ve just given me such a yummy recipe – I love cheesecake and this needs to be tried :))
Jolina
Oh my, that is a battle I’ve long given up on lol! I just try to keep a balance of eating all these delectable sweets (which I can never say no to) and eating healthy stuff (+ a little exercise) 🙂 Hope you like them Lubka!