Who doesn’t love a cheesecake, especially when it comes in a bite-sized form? These mini cheesecakes are perfect for parties, family gatherings, or whenever you’re craving a rich, creamy dessert without having to bake a full cheesecake.
For more irresistible treats, try our Heart-Shaped Berliners, Fried Ice Cream, or Oreo Cookie Pops they’re just as delightful.
Ingredients You Will Need For MINI CHEESECAKES
Cheesecake Filling:
Wet Ingredients: Cream Cheese, Ricotta, Eggs (for texture and thickening), Vanilla Extract, Lemon Zest (optional).
Dry Ingredients: Sugar (for sweetness).
Cracker Crust:
Dry Ingredients: Graham Crackers (or any cookies/crackers of choice), Ground Almond.
Wet Ingredients: Butter (for binding and flavor).
Tips & Tricks
- Avoid cracks: Overmixing your cheesecake batter or baking it at too high of a temperature can cause cracks. Stick to the low temperature and avoid overbeating the eggs to keep your cheesecakes smooth.
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and ricotta are at room temperature before starting. This ensures the filling mixes smoothly without lumps.
- Customize your crust: Feel free to substitute the graham crackers with other cookies like digestive biscuits or even chocolate wafer cookies for a fun twist.
Storage
- Storage: These mini cheesecakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze them for up to 3 months by wrapping each cheesecake individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to serve, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
Variations
- Chocolate mini cheesecakes: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the cheesecake filling for a chocolate twist, or mix melted chocolate into the batter.
- Citrus burst: Add a bit more lemon zest for a tangier flavor or swap it out for orange zest for a refreshing citrus twist.
- Berry swirl: Swirl in a tablespoon of your favorite fruit preserves or jam before baking for a fruity surprise with every bite.
Mini Cheesecakes – Creamy and Rich Bite-Sized Desserts
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 1 ¼ cups cream cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ Zest of a lemon
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1 ¼ cups graham crackers (crushed)
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- ¼ cup ground almonds
Instructions
Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust
- Start by preheating your oven to 370°F (180°C). Line a 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners and set it aside for later.
- Next, crush your graham crackers into fine crumbs. You can do this easily with a food processor or by placing them in a sealed bag and using a rolling pin. Once crushed, transfer the crumbs to a mixing bowl, and stir in the melted butter and ground almonds. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Spoon about 2 to 2 ½ tablespoons of the graham cracker mixture into each lined muffin cup. Use your fingers or the bottom of a small glass (like a shot glass) to press the crumbs down firmly, creating a tight crust.
- Bake the crusts for about 6 minutes, then remove them from the oven and set aside to cool. Don’t forget to reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (140°C) for baking the cheesecakes.
Make the Cheesecake Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and ricotta together until smooth and creamy. Using an electric mixer makes this much easier! Add the sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, and continue mixing until well combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl so everything mixes evenly.
- Now, add the eggs one at a time, mixing at low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here—you want a smooth batter, but too much mixing can lead to cracks in the cheesecakes.
Assemble and Bake
- Divide the cheesecake batter evenly between the 12 liners, filling each one almost to the top.
- Place the muffin pan in the oven and bake at 300°F (140°C) for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until the tops of the mini cheesecakes are set. They might still be a little jiggly in the center, but that’s perfectly fine.
- Once baked, remove the cheesecakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 1 hour. After that, carefully transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 5-7 hours, or preferably overnight, to fully set.
Decorate and Serve
- Once the mini cheesecakes are chilled and set, it’s time to decorate! Top each one with fresh fruit like strawberries, blackberries, or any of your favorites. You can also get creative with toppings like whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or a sprinkle of crushed nuts.
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