These Mini Cheesecakes feature a homemade graham cracker crust with a smooth and creamy cheesecake filling. This recipe is incredibly easy to make and includes several different topping options to use too!

A marble cake stand displaying mini cheesecakes with multiple different toppings on them.

If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know I adore mini desserts. From mini apple pies to mini lemon blueberry cheesecakes and mini pecan pies, I just can’t get enough of them!

Today’s mini cheesecake recipe is one of my favorite mini desserts because it’s so versatile. The graham cracker crust is incredibly simple to throw together and the cheesecake filling is super smooth and creamy. Plus, they only take about 25 minutes in the oven and you don’t have to mess with a water bath either.

You can leave these mini cheesecakes plain or top them with just about anything. This recipe will make 12 mini cheesecakes, but you can easily cut the recipe in half or double it if needed. I’ve even included seven different topping options for you to try on these too!

A collage image of the graham cracker crust mixed up in a bowl and pressed into a muffin pan.

How To Make Mini Cheesecakes

To make these mini cheesecakes, you’ll start out with the graham cracker crust which is just a simple mixture of graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. If you want to make this recipe even easier you can use store-bought graham cracker crumbs. Here’s how to make the crust:

  • Stir together the ingredients: You’ll stir the graham cracker crumbs and sugar together until well combined, then stir in the melted butter until are all of the crumbs are moistened.
  • Line your muffin pan with cupcake liners: This will make it easier to get the mini cheesecakes out of the pan and serve them too!
  • Evenly distribute the mixture between the liners: I suggest using a measuring cup to firmly press the crust down into each liner.
  • Bake for 5 minutes: Once the crust is done, remove the pan from the oven and set it aside while you prepare the filling.

A collage image of the cheesecake filling in a bowl and baked in a muffin pan.

Next, you’ll mix up the cheesecake filling which consists of cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs.

  • Cream Cheese: For the best flavor and texture, I recommend using full-fat cream cheese. Reduced-fat cream cheese will work too, but I don’t suggest using fat-free.
  • Sour Cream: The sour cream helps to break up the thickness of the cream cheese and creates a creamier filling. You may substitute it for an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt if you don’t have any on hand.
  • Sugar & Vanilla: There’s 1/2 cup of sugar to sweeten the mini cheesecake bites and some vanilla for flavor.
  • Eggs: These help add structure to the mini cheesecakes.

To make the filling, you’ll mix the cream cheese and sour cream together until they’re well combined, then mix in the sugar and vanilla extract. It helps to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl after each step. Once the first four ingredients are mixed together, you’ll mix in the eggs one at a time. I suggest mixing the eggs in on low speed until just combined. Overmixing the eggs can incorporate too much air into the cheesecake batter and cause them to crack.

Then, evenly distribute the filling on top of each crust and bake for about 17-20 minutes.

A close up image of mini cheesecakes showing the different toppings on them.

Once the mini cheesecakes are done baking, you’ll want to let them cool completely in the pan for about an hour. Once cooled, remove them from the pan and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.

FAQ’s

How do you know when they are done?

The tops of the mini cheesecakes will puff up in the oven and look set. The edges should be completely set, but the center will still be just a little bit jiggly. The cheesecakes will continue to set up as they cool and once they’re refrigerated.

Can you freeze them?

Yes, these will freeze really well! You can freeze them in a freezer bag/container for up to 3 months, just thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Can you use a mini cheesecake pan for this recipe?

Yes, a mini cheesecake pan will work just fine! Since the cavities are a little smaller than a muffin pan, I recommend making 16 instead of 12 with this recipe.

A piece of parchment paper lined with mini cheesecakes topped with different toppings and whipped cream.

Different Topping Options

Here are a few of my favorite toppings to use on these mini cheesecakes:

Baking Tips

  • For this recipe, you’ll be using a regular or standard muffin pan not a mini muffin pan.
  • To get the graham cracker crust firmly packed into the liners, I like to use a 1/4 – 1/3 cup measuring cup to press the mixture down.
  • Make sure to set all of your ingredients for the filling out ahead of time to come to room temperature. This will ensure a smoother and creamier cheesecake filling!
  • I recommend using full-fat cream cheese and sour cream for a richer texture and flavor.
  • When mixing in the eggs, make sure to mix them in on low speed one at a time until just combined. Over mixing the eggs into the cheesecake batter can incorporate too much air and cause them to crack.
Several mini cheesecakes with different toppings on a marble cake stand.

Mini Cheesecakes

4.96 from 82 ratings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooling time: 4 hours
These Mini Cheesecakes feature a homemade graham cracker crust with a smooth and creamy cheesecake filling. This recipe is incredibly easy to make and includes several different topping options to use too!

Ingredients

Servings: 12 mini cheesecakes

For the graham cracker crust:

  • 1 cup (120 grams) graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons (40 grams) granulated sugar
  • 3 and 1/2 tablespoons (50 grams) unsalted butter melted

For the cheesecake filling:

  • 16 ounces (452 grams) brick-style cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1/3 cup (80 grams) sour cream room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs room temperature

Instructions
 

To make the graham cracker crust:

  • Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Add the melted butter and mix until all of the crumbs are moistened. Evenly distribute the mixture between all 12 liners and firmly press it down into one even layer.
  • Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. Keep oven temperature at 325°F (163°C).

To make the cheesecake filling:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, mix the cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, on low speed until just combined.
  • Evenly distribute the batter between all 12 liners in the cupcake pan, filling each one almost all the way to the top.
  • Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 17-20 minutes or until the tops of the cheesecakes are set.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 1 hour. Carefully remove from the pan and chill in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or overnight.

Notes

Store leftover mini cheesecakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing Instructions: Mini cheesecakes will freeze well for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: To make this recipe a little easier, you can use store-bought graham cracker crumbs. If you're crushing your own graham crackers, you'll need about 8 full-sheets to get 1 cup of crumbs.
Cream Cheese: Make sure to use bricks of cream cheese and not cream cheese spread in a tub. I recommend using full-fat cream cheese for the best results.
Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream works best in this recipe. You may also replace the sour cream with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt.
Eggs: If you forget to set your eggs out ahead of time, simply place them in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes to bring them to room temperature.
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Danielle
Did you make this recipe?Mention @livewellbakeoften on Instagram or tag #livewellbakeoften.