Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes

Super Easy Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes. Layered with a graham cracker crust and creamy tangy cheesecake. Top with salted caramel sauce, chocolate or strawberry sauce!

Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes topped with sliced strawberries

Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes

I love making mini cheesecakes rather than a whole cheesecake. Whole cheesecakes can be quite intimidating. These mini cheesecake cups really are the best! They are super easy to make and the perfect portion size! They are perfect for serving at a party or get together because they are so portable!

These Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes are made in a muffin pan with cupcake liners. They are similar in size to a cupcake. This cheesecake cupcake recipe makes 12 perfectly sized individual cheesecakes. They are perfect for serving a crowd! You can also use a mini muffin tin for bite size cheesecakes.

These mini cheesecakes are rich, creamy and smooth. I made the filling with cream cheese and sour cream for a bit of tang. If you don’t have sour cream feel free to substitute greek yogurt.

This cheesecake cupcake recipe makes 12 perfectly sized cheesecakes. They are perfect for serving a crowd! The best part of this cheesecake cupcake recipe is all the variations you can make. I listed my favorite flavor combos below!

muffin tin lined with graham cracker crumbs

How to make Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes

  • Make graham cracker crust: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a regular size muffin tin with paper liners. (I recommend using the paper liners over foil). Combine graham cracker, butter and sugar in a small bowl. The texture should be similar to wet sand. Divide crust evenly into the bottom of the lined muffin tin. Bake for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown. Take out of the oven and cool completely, set aside.

mixing crushed Graham crackers, sugar and butter in small white bowl

  • Cheesecake filling: Meanwhile assemble the cheesecake filling. Beat cream cheese in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Add in sour cream, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined. Make sure to scrap the sides of the bowl. Pour cheesecake mixture into cooled muffin tin (about 2 tablespoons of filling each.) Fill almost all the way to the top.

cheesecake ingredients in large white bowl

  • Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheesecakes are set. They will still jiggle a bit. Do not over cook them. If they start to crack they are getting over cooked. Allow them to cool in the muffin tin completely on a wire cooling rack.

mini cheesecake cups in muffin tin

  • Serve: Place the mini cheesecake cups in the refrigerator to chill and serve cold with your favorite toppings!

mini cheesecakes in paper muffin liners on wooden cutting board

Tips

  • Use chocolate graham crackers, Oreo’s, or biscoff cookies in place of the honey graham crackers for a fun twist!
  • For my chocolate lovers try my Triple Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes. This recipe is made with an Oreo Cookie crust layered with chocolate cheesecake and topped with a chocolate ganache.
  • A lot of readers have had success with making these in silicone muffin trays. There is no need to put a liner for these and they pop out really well!

Variations

  • Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes: Made with melted semi sweet chocolate chips. Perfect for chocolate lovers!
  • Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes: In place of the graham cracker crust substitute 18 Oreos and
  • Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes: Top each cheesecake with 1 tablespoon of my Strawberry Sauce (recipe follows below) then place half of a sliced strawberry on top.
  • Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes: Add canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) and some pumpkin pie spice. Crush up gingersnaps and mix with melted butter to make the crust.
  • Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes: Top each cupcake with canned cherry pie filling and graham cracker crumbs!

unbaked cheesecake cupcakes in muffin tin

The best thing about these mini cheesecakes are that they are totally customizable! They can even be served plain or with your favorite topping. Make them with caramel sauce, chocolate or strawberry sauce. Or top them with fresh fruit. Any way you serve them they are awesome!

I’ve included my homemade caramel sauce and homemade strawberry sauce recipe below. Now the hard part is deciding which one to make. I recommend making both!

Homemade Caramel Sauce

Add all of the ingredients except for the vanilla to a saucepan. Cook over low-medium heat until thickened stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. If the sauce isn’t getting a lot thicker turn up the heat a bit and keep and eye on it making sure to whisk constantly. (The sauce will thicken as it cools in the refrigerator). Stir in vanilla.

brown sugar, butter and heavy cream in saucepanTake off of the heat and allow to cool in the saucepan. Transfer to a container and place in the refrigerator to firm up and cool.

cooling homemade caramel sauce in measuring cup

Homemade Strawberry Sauce

Add strawberries, lemon juice and sugar to a small saucepan.

adding sugar and sliced strawberries to saucepan

Simmer on low for 15 minutes, mashing up strawberries with the back of a wooden spoon. Take off heat and allow to cool. Place in a food processor and pulse until creamy and thick. Place back in the fridge and serve cold.

mashing strawberries in small saucepan

Can you freeze Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes?

Yes! These mini cheesecakes freeze really well. Just make sure to wrap them up properly in an airtight container. The cheesecakes should last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Bring to room temperature before serving.

mini cheesecake on small cutting board topped with strawberries and strawberry sauce

Here are more individual desserts to try!

Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes

4.57 from 90 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Super Easy Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes. Layered with a graham cracker crust and creamy tangy cheesecake. Top with salted caramel sauce, chocolate or strawberry sauce!

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes

  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • caramel sauce or strawberry sauce for topping optional

3 Ingredient Strawberry Sauce

  • 1 cup strawberries halved
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Easy Caramel Sauce

  • 2 cups light brown sugar
  • 1 stick plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • sea salt for serving if desired

Instructions

Images:

Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes

  • 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a regular size muffin pan with paper liners. (I recommend using the paper liners over foil)
    2. Combine graham cracker, butter and sugar in a small bowl. Texture should be similar to wet sand.
    3. Divide crust evenly into the bottom of the lined muffin tin. Bake for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown. Take out of the oven and cool completely.
  • 4. Meanwhile assemble the cheesecake filling. Beat cream cheese in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
  • 5. Add in sour cream, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined. Make sure to scrap the sides of the bowl.
  • 6. Pour cheesecake mixture into cooled muffin tin. It will be about 2 tablespoons of filling each. Fill almost all the way to the top. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheesecakes are set. They will still jiggle a bit. Do not over cook them. If they start to crack they are getting over cooked.
  • 7. Allow them to cool in the muffin tin completely. Place in the refrigerator to chill and serve cold with your favorite toppings.

3 Ingredient Strawberry Sauce

  • Add strawberries, lemon juice and sugar to a small saucepan.
  • Simmer on low for 15 minutes, mashing up strawberries with the back of a wooden spoon. Take off heat and allow to cool. If desired place in a food processor and pulse until smooth.

Easy Caramel Sauce

  • Add all of the ingredients except for the vanilla to a saucepan. Cook over low-medium heat until thickened stirring occasionally. About 8 minutes. If the sauce isn't getting a lot thicker turn up the heat a bit and keep and eye on it making sure to whisk constantly. (The sauce will thicken as it cools in the refrigerator).
  • Take off of the heat and stir in vanilla. Transfer to a container and place in the refrigerator to firm up and cool.
Nutrition Facts
Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 246 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Cholesterol 84mg28%
Sodium 186mg8%
Potassium 88mg3%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 724IU14%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 58mg6%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 3 Ingredient Strawberry Sauce, Easy Caramel Sauce, Easy Desserts, Individual Desserts, Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes

Amazing Easy Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes | chefsavvy.com

 

EASTER SIDE DISHES

BEFORE YOU GO!

* I consent to receive emails from Chef Savvy

20+ EASY

To Add To Your Holiday Table!