These easy mini cheesecakes are creamy, perfectly portioned, and ready in just 15 minutes, no water bath and no cracks. If you love bite-sized desserts, you should also try our mini chocolate cheesecakes, another reader favorite.
★★★★★
Thanks for a delicious and easy recipe! Food in mini form just tastes better, and this recipe doesn't disappoint. Made them last night and refrigerated overnight. Exactly 15 minutes was perfect for me!
- Kelly D
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These mini cheesecakes have won the hearts of millions, over 20 million views on YouTube, 470 thousand likes, and countless home bakers now call this their go-to dessert.
Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any sweet craving, these little cheesecakes bake in just 15 minutes and chill beautifully. Top them with berries, caramel, or chocolate, or go for something extra fancy like our mini crème brûlée cheesecakes.
Why you'll love this recipe
We created these mini cheesecakes to deliver all the flavor of a classic cheesecake, but with a simpler, foolproof method.
- No water bath needed: We tested multiple bake times and oven temperatures so you can skip the water bath without risking cracks.
- Perfect texture: Creamy, smooth, and set just right every time, thanks to the low-and-slow bake.
- Proven success: Thousands of home bakers have made this recipe and shared rave reviews, many calling it their go-to dessert.
- Beginner-friendly: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean anyone can succeed on the first try.
These minis are quick and beginner-friendly, but if you ever want the full classic experience, our New York style cheesecake is just as simple and guaranteed to impress.
What you'll need
Here are all the ingredients you'll need (see the recipe card below for exact amounts).
Ingredient notes:
Here are a few notes on the most important ingredients.
- Cream cheese: Use full-fat and bring it to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Eggs: Add one at a time on low speed to avoid extra air, which can cause cracks.
- All-purpose flour: Just a little flour stabilizes the filling so it sets neatly.
- Sour cream: Adds tang while keeping the texture soft and creamy.
Substitutions and variations
- Biscuits: Graham crackers, digestive biscuits, Biscoff cookies, or crushed Oreos.
- Sour cream: Greek yogurt gives a lighter tang and slightly firmer texture.
- Butter: Unsalted is best, but salted works fine too.
- Sour cream: Greek yogurt works too, or try our refreshing no-bake mango cheesecake if you'd like a lighter, oven-free option.
- Flour: Swap with cornstarch (same weight) for a gluten-free option.
- Butter: Unsalted is best, but salted works fine too.
- Toppings: Jam, fresh fruit, lemon curd, Nutella, Biscoff spread, caramel, dulce de leche, or whipped cream.
Mini cheesecakes video tutorial
Follow along with our step-by-step video to see exactly how these mini cheesecakes come together. It's packed with visual tips to help you get perfect results every time.
Step-by-step instructions
Make the crust
Stir biscuits crumbs and butter until evenly combined.
Fill the liners
Press the mixture firmly into muffin liners to form the base.
Beat cream cheese
Mix briefly on low speed until smooth and creamy.
Add eggs
Incorporate one at a time, mixing gently to avoid too much air.
Finish the batter
Mix in vanilla, flour, and finally sour cream. Spoon evenly into muffin cups.
Bake
Bake at 320°F (160°C) for 15-18 minutes, until the centers are just set. Cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
Expert tips for success
- Use room temperature cream cheese
Cold cream cheese won't blend smoothly and leaves lumps. Take it out about 1 hour before starting. - Don't overmix after adding eggs
Mix just until combined. Too much air in the batter can make cheesecakes crack. - Bake low and slow
320°F (160°C) ensures a gentle, even bake that keeps them creamy. - Look for the "just set" stage
They're done when edges are firm but centers still jiggle slightly. They'll finish setting as they cool. - Cool gradually
Let them cool in the pan on a wire rack before chilling. Avoid sudden temperature changes to prevent cracks.
Serving and storage guide
Serving
- Chill for at least 4 hours before serving, these taste best cold.
- Add toppings (berries, caramel, chocolate drizzle, whipped cream) just before serving for the freshest look and flavor.
Storage
- Refrigerate plain mini cheesecakes in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- With toppings, they keep best for 1-2 days.
Freezing
- Freeze plain cheesecakes individually wrapped for up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge. Add toppings after thawing for the best texture and appearance.
Mini cheesecakes FAQs
Yes. Because they're smaller and bake quickly, they set evenly without cracking, no water bath needed.
Don't overmix the batter, bake at a steady temperature, and pull them when edges are set but centers still jiggle slightly.
Up to 5 days in an airtight container. They taste best after chilling at least 4 hours or overnight.
Yes. Wrap each one tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and add toppings after thawing.
Absolutely. Bake and chill the day before, then add toppings just before serving.
More cheesecake recipes to try
📖 Recipe
Easy Mini Cheesecakes (20 Million Views)
Video
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cup (150 g) biscuits crumbs
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter melted
Filling
- 10.5 oz (300 g) full-fat cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoon (14 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (185 g) full-fat sour cream room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 320ºF (160ºC). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
Crust
- Crush your biscuits (graham crackers or your choice) into fine crumbs. Combine with melted unsalted butter, then press evenly into a 12-cup muffin pan lined with paper cups.1 ½ cup biscuits crumbs, ¼ cup unsalted butter
Filling
- Soften the full-fat block cream cheese to room temperature for the smoothest results. Beat it gently on low speed just until creamy, no need to overmix.10.5 oz full-fat cream cheese
- With mixer still on low, add sugar a little at a time until fully incorporated and creamy.½ cup granulated sugar
- Add eggs one at a time on low speed, mixing only until just incorporated. This minimizes air in the batter, helping prevent cracks.2 large eggs
- Add vanilla extract, lemon juice, and flour; mix just until combined.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Add room-temperature sour cream and mix just until smooth. Divide batter evenly among cups.¾ cup full-fat sour cream
Bake and chill
- Bake at 320 °F (160 °C) on ⅔ lower rack for 15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers still jiggle slightly when gently shaken.
- Let cheesecakes cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before transferring to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, for best texture. Serve chilled, topped just before eating.
Notes
- Use room-temperature cream cheese: Cold cream cheese won't blend properly and leaves lumps. Take it out of the fridge about 1 hour before starting.
- Don't overmix after adding eggs: Too much air in the batter is the #1 reason cheesecakes crack. Mix only until combined.
- Bake at a steady temperature: A low oven (320°F/160°C) gives you a creamy, evenly baked texture. Use a portable oven thermometer to check your oven's accuracy.
- Watch for the "just set" stage: Pull them out when edges are set and centers still jiggle slightly. They'll firm up as they cool.
- Cool gradually: Let them cool in the pan before chilling. Avoid sudden temperature changes to keep the tops smooth and crack-free.
Nutrition Facts
The nutrition facts provided are an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Valdineide Araujo says
Coloquei em português por favor
Bea says
Hola! Puedes mirar la receta en español cambiando el icono de bandera arriba 👆. No la tengo en Portuguesa, lo siento.
Cristhela says
They look delicious can’t wait to make them thanks for sharing 😊
aryna ds says
how many grams is one egg? thank you 🧡
looking forward to bake it!!
Bea says
It's L (large) sized egg, around 57 grams. Have fun!
Jayasree says
Can we substitute sour cream with full fat yogurt? As sour cream is not available in the place I live.
Bea says
Yes you can 🙂
Green Beans says
These cheesecakes are amazing! So creamy and delectable, I make mine bite sized and I highly recommend leaving in the fridge over night for best results!
Katarina says
I made the mini cheesecakes for new year lunch with my family.. they were such a hit! Thank you for the awesome recipe, Bea!
I have a question on how to make the strawberry stick on top of the cheesecake as I would like to send the cake to my mom and want to make sure the berries do not fall off during transport. Will edible cake glue (from tylose powder) work?
yolanda says
I have tried several recepies, but this one is by far the easiest. One question though, the paper cupcake gets a bit soggy and its then difficult to remove without messing them UP a bit, Any suggestions to avoid this?
Bea says
Hi Yolanda! Are you keeping them long enough in the fridge before removing the paper? You should remove the paper after they been in the fridge for hours and firmed up. If you are already doing this and still have problems, maybe you can try putting them in the freezer for 30 minutes and then remove the paper, it should come off easily. Let me know.
Sharria says
Tried this already and walla.. so yummy, everyone likes it 😋😋😋😍
tq Bea😘
Leanne says
Easy and delicious recipe. Thanks
Janiah says
Thank you for the recipe! So delicious! 😀
Audrey Lavko says
I’m going to try this it look delicious. But what is 6.5 oz sour cream is that 3/4 cup ..? And the cream cheese 10. 5 oz of cream cheese .? Our cream cheese come in 8 oz so from another package do I take 2 oz and 1/2 of another oz .Help I really like to make these. Thank you.
Bea says
Hi Audrey! Yes, it's 3/4 cup for the sour cream. And yes, for cream cheese take one whole block of 8 oz and then another block, cut in half and take half of that (2 oz), the balance of 2 oz take 1/4 of it. Let me know how it goes.
JackieR says
I decided this would be a good try for making cheesecake the first time and I can tell you it was a big hit. Will make it again and again thanks!
Mei says
Hello, can I make this in a square bake tray 35x24cm? How many ingredients (1x, 2x or 3x) do I need to use? And do I need to adjust the temperature and time? Thanks a lot for the recipe I made these several times everyone loves them!
Lucy says
Hi, i cant afford the sour cream... it is okey if i substitute to heavy cream instead?
Sarah says
I'm pretty sure sour cream is as cheap as heavy cream, everywhere I've been? It's usually maybe 1.39 or something for a small container. Heavy Cream will not be the same consistency at all. It will make your filling much runnier.
Kelly says
Beautiful little cheesecakes, first time trying mini ones, was hesitant trying a different recipe.. but they turned out gorgeous. This recipe is now printed and on my keep list. Thank you. 🥰
Bea says
Happy to hear that, thanks Kelly!
farhan says
Hi Bea
I want to make and freeze ahead. Can you advise on that?
1. shall I freeze after a night in the fridge
2. shall i thaw them in fridge overnight or on counter top for few hours
3. can i add whipped cream prior to freezing?
Bea says
Hi Farhan! You can directly freeze them without chilling in the fridge. Thaw either in the fridge or room temp (I've done both and they thawed fine). I'd suggest you add whipped cream before serving. Hope it helps.
Farhan says
Thank you so much for your quick reply. Can you tell me the best way to freeze too? I notice sometimes condensation forms on cling wraps when I put them in fridge to chill. Shall I put each one in a separate zip lock bag?
Bea says
I usually place them on a tray with parchment paper in the freezer for 1-2 hours till they're frozen. Then wrap them individually with cling film and place them in a ziplock bag. Hope it helps.