This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
Mini Cherry Cheesecakes are the perfect size for parties and showers, and with just six ingredients, they come together in a snap!
Featured with this recipe
Sweet little Mini Cherry Cheesecakes are such a cute dessert to make and serve at just about any gathering. I was gifted this recipe at my bridal shower (I’m not going to admit how many years ago that was!) and it has been one of my go-to desserts for special occasions ever since. They’re simple to make, easy to serve, and can be changed up all kinds of ways. This is a really budget friendly dessert too. I usually try to find cream cheese at a dollar or less and stock up. This recipe makes about 18 mini cheesecakes from a muffin tin.
Ingredients
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Sugar
- Cream cheese – softened
- Vanilla wafters
- Cherry pie filling
Variations on Mini Cherry Cheesecakes
- Get creative and use other toppings! I have used peach, blueberry, raspberry, and lemon pie fillings. All of them were beautiful and so delicious.
- Try fresh fruit too! Kiwi, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or any combination of fruit would make a gorgeous summer treat. If you are going to use fresh fruit, I would suggest a layer of whipped topping before adding the fruit to adhere it to the top of the cheesecake.
- Because these cheesecakes are meant for individual servings, you could offer a topping bar at your next party. Let guests top their own cheesecakes with all kinds of toppings, including those listed above, plus chocolate chips, nuts, butterscotch chips, and candies. You can also drizzle them with chocolate syrup, caramel, or butterscotch.
- Match the occasion! Change the muffin liners depending on the occasion. Each holiday or special event can have a certain color or special muffin liner that goes along with the theme or holiday. This is always fun to do when changing the topping too!
- Top with caramel, chocolate, and walnuts for a turtle cheesecake. The possibilities are endless!
More Cherry Recipes
I am crazy about everything cherry. If you love cherries as much as I do, we have some other cherry recipes you will definitely be interested in!
- Chocolate Cherry Cake– this is a tasty pudding based cake.
- Microwave Cherry Crunch– easy to make and cooks in the microwave for a fast dessert.
- Cherry Vanilla Cookies– like chocolate chip, but better!
- Old Fashioned Chocolate Covered Cherries– little bite sized cherry chocolates with a creamy filling.
- Chocolate Cake with Cherry Topping – chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting and cherry topping.
- Alligator Jaws– one of my favorite cherry recipes! A triangle shaped doughnut with cherry cream filling.
- Cherry Limeade Cupcakes– a tart yummy cupcake great for any occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can keep mini cherry cheesecakes in the freezer for up to a month, just keep the topping off and make it fresh after bringing the cheesecakes to room temperature when ready to enjoy.
They take about 15 minutes at 350 degrees F, but you’ll know they are done when the tops of the mini cheesecakes have puffed up and they look set. The edges should be completely set while the center may still jiggle a little.
Over whipping your ingredients can cause your cheesecake to deflate. Because there is too much air in the cheesecake, it will rise in the oven while it is cooking, and then deflate while it cools.
Read More: 33+ Easy Dessert Ideas (with Pictures + Simple Recipes)
More Cheesecake Recipes
Cheesecake is one of my favorite decadent desserts that can be made all kinds of ways. Try a few of our classics here:
- How to Make Cheesecake
- Mini Grasshopper Cheesecakes
- Coconut Lime Cheesecake Bars
- Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce
- Triple Berry Cheesecake Bites
How to Make Mini Cherry Cheesecakes
Mini Cherry Cheesecakes
Video
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric Mixer
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup sugar
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 18 Vanilla Wafers
- 14 ounces Cherry Pie Filling
Instructions
- Place cupcake liners in muffin tins.
- Put a vanilla wafer, flat side down, in the bottom of each liner.
- Beat eggs, vanilla, sugar, and cream cheese together until smooth.
- Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with the cheesecake batter.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool.
- Top each mini cheesecake with cherry pie filling.
- Keep refrigerated until you are ready to serve.
Notes
-
- The pie is the limit! Peach, blueberry, raspberry, and lemon pie fillings are delicious with cheesecake.
-
- Fresh fruit to boot! Kiwi, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or any combination of fruit would make a gorgeous summer treat. If you are going to use fresh fruit, I would suggest a layer of whipped topping before adding the fruit to adhere it to the top of the cheesecake.
-
- Set the bar high! Because these cheesecakes are meant for individual servings, you could offer a topping bar at your next party. Let guests top their own cheesecakes with all kinds of toppings, including those listed above, plus chocolate chips, nuts, butterscotch chips, and candies. You can also drizzle them with chocolate syrup, caramel, or butterscotch.
I’ve made these mini cherry cheesecakes using regular size cupcake papers for many years. I’ve noticed how vanilla wafers keep getting smaller so I tried it yesterday using Golden Oreos instead. They came out great. I’ll be using Oreos from now on. Also made cherry pie filling with fresh cherries we were gifted from neighbors. A win-win!
I love this idea as they can be a single bite and not make a mess for the guests.
Can you use strawberry filling instead of cherry filling?
Sure!
I use to make these but they stopped selling the smaller liners. I think they were two inch. Where did you get yours?
If you can’t find them at the grocery store, you can try a specialty baking store or on Amazon!
I was hoping this recipe was the one I used to use 25 years ago! IT WAS NOT!
I followed your recipe perfectly ; used small cup cake holders, used correct ingredients , baked as you said and the cheesecakes were terrible!
They didn’t even taste like cheesecake. I thought my batter looked a little bit runny but I haven’t made these in so many years I forgot. I trimmed my vanilla wafer to fit in the bottom of each holder although when they baked, the cookie rose to the tap!!!
I am so disappointed as I made for my son .
I am so sorry! We have never had that happen before with this recipe! Did you add the cherry pie filling into the batter? Otherwise I don’t see how it could be runny.
These are delicious and so easy to make. A big hit for the holidays … yummy
These were delicious! Loved the flavor, perfect holiday treat!
These are so easy and elegant – just how I like my holiday treats!
These are the cutest! I would totally go ahead and make peach, cherry and blueberry ones! That would look so pretty on a brunch buffet!
I love that these mini cheesecakes are the perfect portion. They will make a great dessert for any gathering.
I love these mini-cheesecakes! The mini version present so nicely, and typically one is just the right bit of sweet for me…and of course you can always have two!
These look so good and I love your idea of having a toppings bar so everyone can customise their own cheesecake. I’ve never thought of doing that with something like cheesecake!
Oh wow, these are so cute! I absolutely love cherry desserts, can’t wait to try them!
I have made these with Oreos as the base and they’re delicious. Try the red velvet Oreos.
Oooh I love the idea of red velvet Oreos! Not my favorite to eat on their own but I bet as a crust they are delish! Thanks for the tip!
Delicious cakes… Easy to make… Loved it.
So glad you liked these cakes! Thanks for the 5-stars!
If I make these can I use an oreo cookie? Whole or half?
I haven’t tried it that way before, but it sounds delicious! Let me know how it turns out!
Could this work with some no back cheesecake or perhaps the cheescake filling that is in the dairy section?
thanks
Sure! I don’t see why that wouldn’t work. The crust might be a little more crumbly because it isn’t baked but it would probably taste just fine! Hope this helps!
Love, love, love this recipe! ????
I’ve made it s several times for family and friends!
So glad you like it! We love this one too. They are just so easy to make!
I made the same error in thinking the recipe was for Mini muffin size. I used a cookie cutter to cut down the vanilla wafers into smaller circles to fit. I used raspberry filling for topping, yum!
Whoops! Sorry about that. They actually do make the “Mini” Nilla Wafers that you can put in the mini tins. Maybe for next time!
can recipe be halved so not as many cupcakes are made?
Yes, of course! They will taste just as good. 🙂
Can I substitute Splenda for sugar?
Yes, you can. I believe you can substitute Splenda for sugar at a one to one ratio in baking and cheesecakes. It should work great. Thanks for asking!
Love this want to try this with Oreos
How many cakes does it make ?
The recipe makes 18 cheesecakes. Thanks for asking!
Confusing: Your recipe says it makes 18 mini cheesecakes, now you say 24??? Please clarify.
Thanks for catching that! The correct amount is 18. Sorry for the confusion. I have updated the previous comment as well.
I have no idea how you got vanilla wafers into the mini muffin tins .
You never said to use the mini vanilla wafers.
Also this recipe made 36 cheesecakes.
Just saying…..
Hi Cindy, These mini cheesecakes are made in regular size muffin tins in regular size cupcake liners, which do fit a vanilla wafer. It is a “mini” size as compared to a regular size piece of cheesecake. I’ve never made them in a mini muffin tin, but that explains how you were able to get 36 cheesecakes from the recipe. I’m glad to know they can be made in an extra mini size. I’m sorry for the confusion.
Nilla wafers from Nabisco also come in mini size. So I use the mini muffin tin, mini liners, and the mini wafer to make the cheesecakes. Great for bite size treats!
Good to know! I haven’t seen the mini size. Thank you!
How u made the cherry filling???can u tell me Plz
We just used a canned cherry pie filling. It was pre-done. Hope this helps!
I made these today for a graduation party and they were a huge hit! Thank you for the recipe!
Love these – thank you.