Mini Cheesecakes

Mini cheesecakes are a perfect bite-sized treat that makes a delicious addition to potlucks or parties. Made with a vanilla wafer crust and a creamy cheesecake batter, these individual cheesecakes are delicious served plain or with fresh fruit. 

Whether you serve these cheesecakes for a party with a variety of toppings, or you make a small batch for your family to enjoy, one thing is for sure–it will be hard to stop after eating just one!

I have been making mini cheesecakes for decades. They are the perfect treat for potlucks, graduation parties, 4th of July parties, Christmas parties–really any gathering! They are my go-to dessert when I need something simple that feeds a crowd.

These individual cheesecakes are incredibly simple to make. We are talking one a one-bowl kind and only a handful of ingredients kind of recipe. It

Pro-Tips on Ingredients

This recipe for mini cheesecakes is made with only 6 ingredients, not counting the toppings and most of which you probably have on hand at all times.

• Cream Cheese: You can use full fat or reduced-fat cream cheese, but DO NOT use fat-free cream cheese. The resulting texture will not be creamy. The most important thing you can remember to do when preparing cheesecake of any kind is to let your cream cheese come to room temperature before preparing the batter. This allows the cream cheese to easily and evenly mix together to form a creamy, smooth batter.
• Vanilla Wafers: This is one recipe I take a short-cut and use Vanilla Wafers as the crust. I often use organic vanilla wafers or even make Homemade Vanilla Wafers, but any vanilla wafter will do.
• Toppings (optional): The toppings are endless for cheesecake. I suggest serving these mini cheesecakes plain and offering different topping options if serving at a party. Some topping ideas are fresh fruit, pie filling, chocolate syrup, caramel, chocolate chips, whipped cream, or lemon curd.

How to Make Cheesecakes

• Line mini muffin tin pans with mini cupcake liners. This recipe makes 48 bite-sized cheesecakes.
• Put 1 vanilla wafer into each cupcake liner. It should JUST fit.

• In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy.
• Add in eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice together until smooth and creamy. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl and then beat well again.

• Using a mini cookie scoop or a 1/2 tablespoon measuring spoon, portion out batter evenly among the 48 muffin cups. The batter should just cover the vanilla wafer.

• Bake the cheesecakes until sides puff up and the center is still a TINY bit jiggly. They will continue to bake as they sit in the muffin tins, so you do not want to over bake.
• Let cheesecakes cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove from pan and cool for another 10-20 minutes on a cooling rack.
• Refrigerate and then serve with any desired toppings.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Bite Sized Cheesecakes are great for a party because they can be made up to 4 days in advance, and unlike many foods, they taste better after refrigeration.

These mini cheesecakes also can be frozen if you happen to have leftovers or want to prepare longer than 4 days in advance. To Freeze Cheesecakes, let cheesecakes cool completely. Place on a baking sheet and place in freezer until frozen solid–anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight. Transfer cheesecakes to a freezer bag and seal well. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator.

More Cheesecake Recipes

• Instant Pot Carrot Cake Cheesecake
• Instant Pot Chocolate Cheesecake
• Classic Cheesecake 
• Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Instant Pot Cheesecake

I would love to know how you enjoy these Party Perfect Cheesecakes! Be sure to leave a comment and let me know–and I would love to hear your favorite toppings!

Mini Cheesecakes

These bite-sized cheesecakes are easy to make and feature a vanilla wafer crust and a perfectly creamy and light cheesecake batter. 

5 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Chilling Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 48

Calories: 62kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

• 48 vanilla wafers
• 16 ounces cream cheese room temperature (2 (8-ounce) packages)
• 2 eggs room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• any desired toppings

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Line 48 cups in mini muffin tins with mini cupcake liners. 
• Put 1 vanilla wafer into each cupcake liner.
• Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice together until smooth and creamy. Be sure to scrape down sides and then beat well again.
• Using a mini cookie scoop or a 1/2 tablespoon measuring spoon, portion out batter evenly among the 48 muffin cups.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheesecakes sides puff up and center is still a TINY bit jiggly, being careful to not over bake. 
• Let cheesecakes cool for 10 minutes in pan.
• Remove from pan and cool for another 10-20 minutes on a cooling rack.
• Place in sealed container and store in fridge for at least 2 hours, or until completely chilled, before serving.

Equipment Needed

• mini muffin tin

Notes

• Be sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before mixing cheesecake batter. This will ensure there are no lumps in your batter.
• If you forget to pull out your ingredients a few hours before you plan to make these cheesecakes, place the eggs and cream cheese (still in foil packaging) right into lukewarm water. Your ingredients will be ready to use in 15-20 minutes. 
• Fresh lemon juice really brightens up the cheesecake batter, but you can use jarred lemon juice or omit from the batter with success as well. 
• This recipe can easily be cut in half for a small gathering or doubled for a large party. 

Nutrition Facts

Mini Cheesecakes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 62 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 17mg6%

Sodium 57mg2%

Potassium 20mg1%

Carbohydrates 4g1%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 135IU3%

Vitamin C 0.1mg0%

Calcium 10mg1%

Iron 0.1mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I would love to know how you enjoy this recipe!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram or Facebook - I would love to see!

This post was originally published in 2018 but was updated in 2020 with a video and new pictures.