Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes Recipe

Sweet, tangy, and delectably creamy - these strawberry lemonade mini cheesecakes are a delight to the senses. Each bite offers a burst of fresh, fruity flavors grounded by the richness of cream cheese. This easy-to-follow recipe blends the refreshing zest of lemonade with the sweetness of strawberries, all encased in a buttery vanilla wafer crust. The individual serving size makes them perfect for gatherings or a just-because treat.

Photos of Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes Recipe

Most of the ingredients in this recipe are typical pantry items such as granulated sugar, salted butter, and eggs. However, you may not regularly stock fresh strawberries, lemon zest, sour cream, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Take note of these items when you plan your grocery shopping. Also, be sure to use fresh strawberries for the best flavor and texture.

Ingredients for Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes

Vanilla wafer crumbs: These provide a sweet, crunchy base for the cheesecake.

Salted butter: Used in the crust to give a rich, buttery flavor.

Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the crust and the filling.

Lemon zest: Adds a tart, vibrant flavor to the cheesecake filling.

Cream cheese: The key ingredient that gives the cheesecake its creaminess and tang.

Eggs: They help set the cheesecake and give it a smooth, creamy texture.

Sour cream: Adds a tangy flavor and helps create a smooth, rich texture.

Heavy cream: Used in the filling to give it a rich, creamy taste and texture.

Lemon juice: Balances the sweetness and adds a tangy flavor.

Lemon extract: Enhances the lemon flavor in the cheesecake filling.

Vanilla extract: Complements the other flavors and balances out the tartness of the lemon.

Fresh strawberries: Used to create a sweet, fresh strawberry-lemon sauce to top the mini cheesecakes.

One reader, Daria Eddy says:

These strawberry lemonade mini cheesecakes are a delightful treat! The combination of tangy lemon and sweet strawberries is simply divine. The creamy texture of the cheesecake filling perfectly complements the crunchy crust. The strawberry-lemon sauce adds a burst of fresh flavor. It's a must-try for any dessert lover!

Daria Eddy

Techniques Required for Making Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes

How to prepare cheesecake crusts: Mix vanilla wafer crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar until evenly moistened. Divide the mixture among 12 paper lined muffin cups, adding about 1½ tablespoons to each cup, and pressing the mixture into an even layer.

How to make cheesecake filling: Pulse together granulated sugar and lemon zest in a food processor. Blend the cream cheese with the sugar mixture using an electric hand mixer set on low speed. Stir in the eggs, one at a time, mixing just until combined after each addition. Blend in the sour cream and heavy cream. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon extract, and vanilla extract. Tap the mixing bowl against the countertop to release some of the air bubbles 30 times.

How to make strawberry-lemon sauce: Add the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a food processor and blend until pureed. Pour over the mini cheesecakes, serve, and enjoy!

How To Make Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes

Incredibly refreshing, these mini cheesecakes are made with a creamy filling, then topped with a tart and zesty strawberry-lemon sauce, for a tastier treat!

Preparation: 25 minutes

Cooking: 25 minutes

Cool and Chill Time: 3 hours

Total: 3 hours 50 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

For Cheesecake Crusts:

1¼cupsvanilla wafer crumbs,(from about 2 cups cookies)
3tbspsalted butter,melted
1tbspgranulated sugar

For Cheesecake Filling:

¾cupgranulated sugar
1tbsplemon zest,packed
8ozcream cheese,(2 packages), softened
2large eggs
¼cupsour cream
3tbspheavy cream
2tbsplemon juice
1½tsplemon extract,to taste
½tspvanilla extract

For Strawberry-Lemon Sauce:

8ozfresh strawberries
1tbspsugar,or to taste
2tsplemon juice,fresh

Instructions

Cheesecake Crusts:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the wafer crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar until evenly moistened.
Divide the mixture among 12 paper lined muffin cups, adding about 1½ tablespoons to each cup, and pressing the mixture in each cup into and even layer.
Bake in the oven for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

Cheesecake Filling:

In a food processor, pulse together ¾ cup granulated sugar with lemon zest.
Add the cream cheese to a mixing bowl and pour the sugar mixture over the cream cheese.
Using an electric hand mixer set on low speed, blend the mixture together just until smooth. Stir in the eggs, one at a time, mixing just until combined after each addition.
Blend in the sour cream and heavy cream. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon extract and vanilla extract. Tap the mixing bowl against counter top to release some of the air bubbles 30 times.
Divide the mixture among muffin cups, pouring the mixture over the crusts and filling each nearly full.
Bake in the oven 20 to 25 minutes until the centers only jiggle slightly.
Allow to cool to room temperature for1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until set.

Strawberry-Lemon Sauce:

Add the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a food processor and blend until pureed.
Pour over the mini cheesecakes, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

If there is no food processor, just rub the sugar and lemon zest together with fingertips.

Nutrition

Calories: 212.96kcal
Fat: 13.55g
Saturated Fat: 7.41g
Trans Fat: 0.12g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3.91g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.79g
Carbohydrates: 21.20g
Fiber: 0.56g
Sugar: 16.50g
Protein: 2.75g
Cholesterol: 67.05mg
Sodium: 123.68mg
Calcium: 37.26mg
Potassium: 88.09mg
Iron: 0.44mg
Vitamin A: 130.84µg
Vitamin C: 13.43mg

Crucial Technique Tip for Perfect Mini Cheesecakes

When making the cheesecake filling, it's crucial to not overmix the ingredients. Overbeating can incorporate too much air, which might cause the cheesecake to puff up during baking and then collapse, creating cracks. Also, tapping the mixing bowl against the countertop helps to release air bubbles, contributing to a smoother and creamier texture.

Time-Saving Tips for Making Mini Cheesecakes

Prep ahead: Make the crust and filling a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. This will save you time on the day you plan to serve the mini cheesecakes.

Organize ingredients: Before you start, gather all the ingredients and equipment needed for the recipe. This will help streamline the cooking process and prevent any last-minute scrambling.

Batch baking: If you have multiple muffin pans, bake all the mini cheesecakes at once to save time. This way, you can utilize the oven space efficiently.

Chill quickly: After the cheesecakes have cooled to room temperature, place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to speed up the chilling process before serving.

Streamline cleanup: As you wait for the cheesecakes to set in the refrigerator, clean up the kitchen and wash the dishes to minimize post-cooking cleanup time.

Substitute Ingredients For Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes Recipe

vanilla wafer crumbs - Substitute with graham cracker crumbs: Graham cracker crumbs have a similar texture and flavor to vanilla wafer crumbs, and they can be used as a suitable substitute for the crust.
salted butter - Substitute with unsalted butter: If using unsalted butter, you can control the amount of salt in the recipe. Just add a pinch of salt to the crust mixture to compensate for the lack of salt in the butter.
granulated sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be used as a 1:1 substitute for granulated sugar and adds a subtle caramel flavor to the crust.
lemon zest - Substitute with orange zest: Orange zest can provide a similar citrusy flavor and aroma to the cheesecake filling, offering a delightful twist to the recipe.
cream cheese - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can be used as a healthier alternative to cream cheese, providing a tangy and creamy texture to the filling.
sour cream - Substitute with plain yogurt: Plain yogurt can replace sour cream in the filling, offering a lighter and tangier flavor to the cheesecake.
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can be used as a dairy-free alternative to heavy cream, adding richness and a hint of coconut flavor to the filling.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice can replace lemon juice, providing a similar level of acidity and citrusy flavor to the recipe.
lemon extract - Substitute with orange extract: Orange extract can be used to infuse a citrusy flavor into the cheesecake filling, offering a unique twist to the original recipe.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract can add a delightful nutty flavor to the filling, complementing the other ingredients in the recipe.
fresh strawberries - Substitute with raspberries: Raspberries can be used as a substitute for strawberries, providing a similar tartness and vibrant color to the sauce.

Best Way to Present Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes

Elevate the cheesecake crusts: Create a delicate and precise vanilla wafer crumb base, ensuring it is evenly moistened and pressed into the muffin cups with precision.
Perfect the cheesecake filling: Achieve a smooth and velvety cream cheese mixture by blending the ingredients with finesse. Incorporate the lemon zest and extracts to create a harmonious and balanced flavor profile.
Craft the strawberry-lemon sauce: Present a vibrant and luscious strawberry-lemon sauce, carefully drizzled over the mini cheesecakes to add a burst of color and freshness.
Emphasize precision in plating: Pay attention to the placement of each mini cheesecake, ensuring they are presented with elegance and uniformity on the serving platter.
Incorporate artistic garnishes: Utilize fresh strawberries or lemon slices as artistic garnishes, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall presentation.
Highlight attention to detail: Showcase the mini cheesecakes with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every element on the plate is thoughtfully arranged and visually appealing.

Essential Tools for Making Mini Cheesecakes

Mixing bowl: Used for combining and mixing ingredients.
Food processor: Used for blending and pureeing ingredients.
Electric hand mixer: Used for blending and mixing ingredients to achieve a smooth consistency.
Muffin cups: Used for baking the mini cheesecakes.
Paper liners: Used to line the muffin cups to prevent sticking.
Oven: Used for baking the cheesecakes.
Measuring cups and spoons: Used for accurately measuring ingredients.
Whisk: Used for mixing and whisking ingredients together.
Spatula: Used for scraping and smoothing the cheesecake batter.
Baking sheet: Used for placing the muffin cups for baking.
Knife: Used for hulling and slicing the strawberries for the sauce.

Storing and Freezing Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes

Once the mini cheesecakes have cooled to room temperature, cover them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
If you want to freeze the cheesecakes, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
To thaw frozen cheesecakes, transfer them to the refrigerator and let them defrost overnight. Do not thaw them at room temperature, as this can cause the cheesecakes to become soggy and lose their texture.
For best results, add the strawberry-lemon sauce just before serving. If you plan to freeze the cheesecakes, it's recommended to freeze them without the sauce and add it after thawing.
If you have leftover strawberry-lemon sauce, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the sauce in an ice cube tray for easy portioning and thaw as needed.

Interesting Fact About Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes

The combination of strawberry lemonade in these mini cheesecakes creates a delightful and refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion.

Is Making Mini Cheesecakes at Home Cost-Effective?

This strawberry lemonade mini cheesecakes recipe is moderately cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as cream cheese, strawberries, and lemon, are generally affordable and can be found in most grocery stores. The total cost for a household of 4 people is approximately $15-$20. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 9/10, as it offers a delightful combination of flavors and a visually appealing presentation.

Are Mini Cheesecakes Healthy or Unhealthy?

While the strawberry lemonade mini cheesecakes sound delightful, they are not the healthiest dessert option. The recipe is high in sugar, fat, and calories due to ingredients like cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, and sugar. Consuming these cheesecakes in excess could contribute to weight gain and other health issues.

However, there are ways to make this recipe healthier without compromising on taste:

Reduce the amount of sugar in the cheesecake filling and strawberry-lemon sauce, or use a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit
Replace some of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt to lower the fat content and increase protein
Use whole wheat vanilla wafers for the crust to add fiber and nutrients
Incorporate more fresh strawberries into the sauce to increase the fruit content and natural sweetness
Serve smaller portions and pair with a side of fresh berries to balance out the indulgence

By making these adjustments, you can still enjoy the delightful flavors of strawberry lemonade cheesecake while being mindful of your health. Remember, moderation is key when it comes to treating yourself to desserts like these. Savor each bite and don't forget to balance your indulgences with a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise.

Editor's Opinion on This Mini Cheesecake Recipe

The combination of tangy lemon and sweet strawberries in these mini cheesecakes creates a delightful burst of flavor. The creamy texture of the cheesecake filling complements the crunchy vanilla wafer crust, providing a satisfying contrast in every bite. The addition of lemon zest and extract adds a refreshing citrusy note, while the strawberry-lemon sauce provides a vibrant and luscious finish. This recipe is a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a delightful treat for any occasion.

Enhance Your Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest: Tender asparagus spears grilled to perfection and topped with a zesty lemon zest for a burst of flavor.

Balsamic Glazed Chicken Skewers: Juicy chicken skewers marinated in a tangy balsamic glaze and grilled to caramelized perfection.

Mango Salsa with Cilantro: Fresh mango chunks mixed with vibrant cilantro for a refreshing and flavorful salsa to accompany the mini cheesecakes.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: A velvety smooth tomato soup infused with aromatic basil for a comforting and satisfying side dish.

Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes: Golden brown roasted potatoes coated in savory parmesan cheese for a crispy and indulgent side dish.

Similar Recipes to Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: This creamy tomato basil soup is the perfect comfort food for a cozy night in. The combination of ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and cream creates a rich and flavorful soup that will warm you up from the inside out.

Grilled Peach and Prosciutto Salad: This grilled peach and prosciutto salad is a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors. The juicy peaches are caramelized on the grill, then paired with salty prosciutto and peppery arugula for a refreshing summer salad.

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts: These garlic parmesan roasted Brussels sprouts are a delicious and healthy side dish that will convert even the pickiest eaters into Brussels sprouts fans. The crispy sprouts are coated in a savory garlic parmesan mixture that will have you coming back for seconds.

Appetizers and Main Courses to Serve with Mini Cheesecakes

Appetizers:

Stuffed Mushrooms: Impress your guests with these savory stuffed mushrooms, filled with a delicious blend of cheeses, herbs, and breadcrumbs. They're the perfect bite-sized appetizer to kick off any meal.

Caprese Skewers: These colorful and refreshing caprese skewers are a delightful way to start any gathering. With juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, they're a light and flavorful option for any occasion.

Main Courses:

Chicken Alfredo: Create a creamy and indulgent pasta dish featuring tender chicken and a rich, cheesy Alfredo sauce. Pair it with your favorite pasta for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Beef Stir Fry: Whip up a quick and flavorful stir fry with thinly sliced beef, colorful vegetables, and a savory sauce. Serve it over steamed rice for a delicious and nutritious dinner option.

Why trust this Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes Recipe:

This recipe is a delightful fusion of strawberry and lemon flavors, creating a harmonious balance of sweet and tangy notes. The creamy cheesecake filling is meticulously crafted to ensure a velvety texture, while the vanilla wafer crust adds a delightful crunch. The incorporation of fresh strawberries and zesty lemon juice in the sauce guarantees a burst of natural, vibrant flavors. Each step is carefully outlined to ensure a seamless and enjoyable baking experience. Trust in the expertise and passion behind this recipe to indulge in a truly exquisite dessert.

Have you tried making these delightful Strawberry Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes? Head over to the Baking and Desserts section to share your experience and discuss the recipe with fellow baking enthusiasts!

FAQ:

Can I use graham crackers instead of vanilla wafers for the crust?

Yes, you can substitute graham crackers for the vanilla wafers in the crust. Simply crush the graham crackers into crumbs and use them in place of the vanilla wafers in the same quantity.

Can I use frozen strawberries for the strawberry-lemon sauce?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries for the sauce. Just make sure to thaw them before pureeing them in the food processor.

Can I make these mini cheesecakes ahead of time?

Absolutely! These mini cheesecakes can be made ahead of time. Once they are fully set in the refrigerator, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can I use a different fruit for the sauce, like raspberries or blueberries?

Certainly! You can use raspberries, blueberries, or any other fruit of your choice to make a different fruit sauce to top the mini cheesecakes.

Can I use low-fat cream cheese and sour cream for a lighter version?

Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese and sour cream for a lighter version of the mini cheesecakes. However, the texture and flavor may be slightly different from the original recipe.