Mini Cherry Cheesecakes are a super easy, very tasty, classic way to enjoy the traditional cheese cake. We have been making these for years. In fact, they have been a treat that we take and share to many events and gathering year-round, but especially during the holidays!
They are quicker to make than cookies and many other desserts too!
Here’s the ingredients for the classic Mini Cherry Cheesecakes recipe:
- 2 8oz. packages of cream cheese
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 24 Nilla Wafers
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Cherry Pie filling
- 24 muffin cups
Here’s how to make the classic Mini Cherry Cheesecakes:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
2. Place one Nilla Wafer in the bottom of each cup, flat side down.
3. Cream together with an electric mixer the cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla. You will want to make sure that this is “creamy” and not just mixed, but there will be a few clumps.
4. Fill each miniature muffin liner with this mixture, about 2/3 full.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 – 25 minutes. They tops will not brown, but the edges will become a light golden brown.
6. Cool overnight in the fridge and then top with a teaspoonful of cherry pie filling right before serving.
We make the classic Mini Cherry Cheesecakes most often, but there are also some yummy and tasty variations to this classic recipe.
For Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes:
- 2 8oz. packages of cream cheese
- 1/4 cup of Cocoa powder
- 3/4 sugar +1 Tablespoon
- 24 Nilla Wafers
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Cherry Pie filling
- 24 muffin cups
*Make this the same way, but just include the cocoa powder in the creamed mixture when mixing. Baking time is the same!
Here are some ideas for different variations that we have tried and they ALL get our stamp of approval:
- Use a sugar cookie base for the crust. We have used the pre-made Pillsbury sugar cookie and will take a small teaspoon full, roll in a ball and then flatten at the bottom of the muffin tins. This is Alex’s preferred crust and makes this treat a bit more gourmet!
- Hide a Hershey’s meltaway kiss in the cheesecakes for a sweet chocolate surprise. To do this, after placing the Nilla Wafer or Sugar Cookie crust, place an unwrapped Hershey’s Meltaway Kiss in the center and then cover with the mixture. You actually can’t even tell it is there and it makes for a true yummy surprise. We highly recommend using the meltaways as you will serve this after cooling and the meltaways are perfectly soft for this. A regular kiss is too hard, but can still work.
- Top your creations with chocolate or mini chocolate chips right when they come out!
- Top with crushed nuts and caramel/chocolate drizzle.
- Use any flavor of fruit pie toppings (Blueberry, cherry, raspberry, etc.)
- Top with a Hershey’s Kiss in flavor of choice, including the holiday themed kisses depending on the time of year/occasion!
So yummy and creamy!
See more Recipes in our Recipe Art Gallery
See our Recipe Pinterest Board
Leave a Reply