These mini cheesecakes are infused with a burst of lemon to give them a fresh, summery flavor! These individual desserts give you the perfect balance of sweet, tart and creamy.
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Several years ago I had the opportunity to attend a baking class at a local cooking school. The focus was on cheesecake and though I don't do a lot of baking for the blog I thought it would be fun to share one of my favorite summer cheesecake recipes. These cheesecake bites are infused with lemon giving them a bright taste of summer.
Contents:
Why you'll love this recipe
Lighter desserts are ideal for the warmer spring and summer months and lemon is such a classic summer dessert flavor. I made these into individual cheesecakes so you can make a smaller batch. I'm also a big fan of single-serving desserts! If you are entertaining a larger group you can double or even triple this recipe without any modifications.
Ingredient Notes
The full list of ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
- Graham crackers: You need three full sheets to make the crust.
- Butter: I generally use unsalted butter when baking.
- Sugar: Standard granulated sugar is what you need for both the crust and the filling.
- Cream cheese: I recommend using full-fat cream cheese for the best consistency.
- Egg: One large egg is what you'll need.
- Lemon extract: The lemon extract gives these cheesecake bites their flavor.
- Vanilla extract
Tips for Making the Perfect Mini Cheesecake
Cheesecake is actually fairly simple to make if you keep a few important tips in mind:
- You want to make sure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature before getting started. This will ensure a super smooth and creamy cheesecake filling with no lumps.
- You want to keep your mixer on very low speed for the entire mixing process. Too much air in a cheesecake can result in the cheesecakes falling quite a bit when you take them out of the oven. Also, don't overbeat the mixture after you add the egg. You want to just incorporate it.
- Don’t overbake your mini cheesecakes! You want to bake them for about 17-20 minutes or until the tops are set. The cheesecakes will continue to firm up as they cool and once they’re chilled.
- Let them cool before you put it in the refrigerator. For these mini cheesecakes, 30-40 minutes is enough. If you are making a full-sized cheesecake, let it cool for 45-60 minutes before refrigerating.
How to make this recipe
Step 1 | Prepare the ingredients. Let the egg and cream cheese come to room temperature.
Step 2 | Prepare the crust. To make these, you’ll start out with a simple homemade graham cracker crust - some graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and a touch of sugar. You’ll mix that up and press it into your cupcake liners, then bake for a few minutes while you make the filling.
Step 3 | Make the filling. This cheesecake filling is really easy - you’ll be using some cream cheese, sugar, lemon extract and zest, vanilla and an egg. You mix those ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
Step 4 | Prepare, bake + cool. Preparing the cheesecakes is as simple as spooning the filling into the cupcake liners and baking. You need to allow time for them to cool before refrigerating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Recommended Tools
Muffin Pan - I've got the cool mini cheesecake pan noted below that I use when I make these for a party but wanted to make it easy for anyone to make these so I used a regular muffin tin for these.
Mini Cheesecake pan – If you are a fan of cheesecakes and individual desserts this is a fun pan to have. It's ideal for mini cheesecakes as it gives you a truly bite-sized version and the bottoms pop out making it easy to remove the cheesecakes.
Nielsen-Massey Lemon Extract - I'm a huge fan of Nielsen-Massey's extracts. I think they have the best flavor and come in pretty much any variety you could need for your baking, cooking or cocktail needs! Their products can be found at many different stores including Whole Foods and Sur La Table and can also be ordered online.
Serving Suggestions
These cheesecakes are the perfect end to any summer meal. I'd pair them with:
Grilled Salmon with Mustard Sauce
Southwestern Turkey Burger Sliders
More summer dessert recipes
If you are looking for other summer dessert ideas, check out these reader favorites:
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Mini Lemon Cheesecakes
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 3 graham cracker sheets
- 1 ½ tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
For the cheesecake:
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey lemon extract
- ¼ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey vanilla extract.
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients. Remove the cream cheese and eggs from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature.
- Heat the oven. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line six muffin cups with cupcake liners.
- Prepare the crust. Add the graham crackers to a food processor fitted with a standard blade and pulse until crumbled. Add the butter and sugar then mix until combined. Divide the mixture between the 6 muffin cups and press into the bottom of each cup. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Make the filling. While the crusts are baking, add the cream cheese and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on low until combined and smooth. Add the extracts and beat again on low until combined. Add the egg, mixing on low speed until just blended.
- Prepare the cheesecakes. Spoon the cheesecake mixture into the muffin cups, filling nearly to the top. Try to divide as evenly as possible to ensure consistent baking.
- Bake + cool. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Serve. When ready to serve, remove cheesecakes from the refrigerator. If you like, you can remove from cupcake liners or leave them in the liners. Top cheesecakes with sliced strawberries or other berries of your choice.
Notes
- If you don’t have a stand mixer you can use a regular hand mixer, just keep the speed a low as possible.
- I generally try to make cheesecake early in the day or even the day before I want to serve it so it has plenty of time to cool.
- Cook and prep time does not include cooling time, so be sure to leave at least 90 minutes additional to allow the cheesecakes to cool.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in July 2018. It was updated in July 2024 with some new information and photos. No changes were made to the original recipe.
Linda
love the cheesecake bites. Cheesecake can be so filling, so I like the built in portion control you provided.
anne
This really is the perfect summer dessert. Light and full of delicious lemon flavor! I'm adding this to my list of recipes to try this summer.
Elaine
I love all things lemon! I've never heard of that brand of lemon extract, but now I have to find it! Your cheesecake bites look so delicious!
FoodieGirlChicago
Do try to find their extracts - they make several different flavors and all of them are excellent!
Veena Azmanov
There is something about lemon in summer that's always so refreshing no matter where you add it in. Salad or cheesecakes. This sounds delish and refreshing. Saving this for later. I use the same brand of lemon extract.
FoodieGirlChicago
You are so right about lemon and summer!
Lorie
Well then, this is all I need for the rest of the summer! You had me at lemon, and cheesecake!!!
prasanna hede
Lemon flavor is so flavorful as it is and these bite size desserts are best for me since I will finish the huge cheesecake by myself!
Jyothi (Jo)
What a cute little cheesecake! I love all things lemons and especially in cheesecakes. Love this recipe
Jenni LeBaron
I'm also a big fan of Nielsen-Massey extracts and these little lemon cheesecakes look super good. I would definitely love these for any party - or gobbling up by myself!
Veronika's Kitchen
Love lemon desserts and your mini lemon cheesecakes look so scrumptious! Saving the recipe for later!)
Sri Mallya
Love Anything lemons. These cheesecake looks so gorgeous and delicious. Can't wait to try your recipe.
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
These little cheesecakes sound divine! And I bet they're even better with those strawberries you've topped them with (and who would think lemon cheesecake would be something you could improve upon?)!
Tressa Mcgrotty
I value how thoroughly you have actually covered this subject.