These elegant Raspberry Swirl Mini Cheesecakes can be made ahead, are individually portioned, and perfect for baby showers, parties, or any holiday event. If you are looking for a delicious and easy individual cheesecake dessert to impress your guests, make sure to save this recipe now!
There is nothing quite as wonderful as biting into a piece of cheesecake with the perfect taste and texture. These Raspberry Swirl Cheesecakes are great for cheesecake lovers because they are simple, delicious, portable and you can make them in advance.
With a buttery graham cracker crust and creamy cheesecake filling swirled with a sweet raspberry puree, they have quickly become one of my favorite muffin tin cheesecake recipes. If you’re having a party and want to make something impressive that will have guests raving over your baking skills, these mini raspberry cheesecake cupcakes are a must.
Since these Mini Oreo Cheesecake Bites were so popular, I was on the hunt for another individual cheesecake cup recipe that looked festive for holidays or a casual family dinner. These raspberry cheesecake cups are perfect for any occasion!
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How to Make Raspberry Swirl Cheesecakes
The Graham Cracker Crust
- First, mix melted butter with the graham cracker crumbs in a small bowl with a fork.
- Next, fill a paper lined muffin pan cup with about one and a half tablespoons of the crumb mixture. Using the bottom of a ¼th measuring cup to firmly press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the muffin cup.
- Bake the crust for seven minutes in a pre-heated oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit then remove and set aside to cool.
The Raspberry Puree
- Combine raspberries, sugar, cornstarch and water in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the raspberry mixture begins to simmer reduce heat to low/medium low and continue simmering.
- Stir the mixture occasionally while breaking up the raspberry with a wooden spoon for about 5-10 minutes until thick.
- Take mixture off the heat and drain it through a fine mesh strainer to separate the puree from the seeds.
- Using the back of a spoon, help push the raspberry puree through the strainer. Discard the seeds once the puree has been strained.
- Transfer the raspberry sauce to a small bowl and set aside to cool while you make the filling.
The Cheesecake Batter
- Start by beating the room temperature cream cheese on medium speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or by using a medium bowl and a hand mixer) for about three to five minutes until creamy.
- Next, add the sugar, vanilla extract, sour cream and heavy cream and continue mixing on low speed until just combined scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the eggs and continue mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Stop mixing once the eggs are incorporated. We want the batter to be smooth but also prevent too much air cheesecake batter.
- Next, pour the filling on top of the pre-baked crust using a large cookie scoop (3 tablespoons work best). Fill all muffin liners with an even layer of batter.
- Place about a ½ tablespoon dollop of raspberry sauce on top of each mini cheesecake.
- Next, using a toothpick or wooden skewer, gently swirl the drops of raspberry sauce into the batter in a figure eight pattern.
- Bake for about 20-22 minutes until the centers are set and middle is slightly jiggly.
Cooling Time
Once the cheesecakes are out of the oven, transfer the muffin tin tray to a wire cooling rack. Let the cheesecakes cool while still in the muffin tins for at least 30 minutes.
Next, carefully pinch the tops of the cupcake liners and pull up to remove the muffin cups. Set back on the wire rack and cool again for at least 30 more minutes. Then, refrigerate for at least three hours or overnight.
FAQ's
Yes, these individual raspberry cheesecakes can also be made using oven proof ramekins. The bake time for these bite sized cheesecakes will vary if using a ramekin however they will be done once the edges are firm and they are slightly jiggly in the center.
For the buttery graham cracker crust, use any flavor you like, such as honey, chocolate, or even cinnamon graham crackers. For crustless cheesecake bites, omit the crumbs altogether.
You can use either fresh or frozen raspberries for this recipe! Frozen raspberries are very convenient because you do not have to wash the dirt from them beforehand. Both can be used interchangeably with each other and it does not make much difference in flavor.
If your sauce looks like it’s too thin and you’d like to make it thicker, add a bit more cornstarch to the mixture that you've prepared. There is a good chance that you didn’t add enough, which is why it might look runny.
The sauce will continue to thicken the longer it simmers. Also, if it looks like the sauce is too thick, add a bit more water one tablespoon at a time to thin it out.
Recipe Tips
- To prevent over mixing, make sure your ingredients for the cheesecake filling are at room temperature.
- If you don’t like raspberries, you can follow this same recipe while using strawberries, blueberries or other fresh fruit.
- When preparing the filling it's best to use a metal or plastic mixing bowl.
- Check the centers of the mini raspberry cheesecakes and make sure they’re jiggly before you remove them from the oven.
- Allow the mini cheesecakes to refrigerate overnight before enjoying for best results.
Variations to Try
For a raspberry cheesecake with Oreo crust, swap the graham cracker crumbs with Oreo cookies. Alternatively, omit the crust altogether for crustless mini cheesecakes. Try adding a variety of different toppings for extra flavor. Here are some of my favorites:
- Whipped Cream
- Caramel Drizzle
- Blueberries Strawberries Or Other Fresh Fruit
- Chocolate Syrup
- Melted White Chocolate Drizzle
- Chocolate Chips
- Oreo Cookie Crust
Storing Mini Raspberry Cheesecakes
Allow the raspberry cheesecake bites to cool down completely before refrigerating. Once they’re cool, wrap each mini cheesecake in plastic wrap, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
How to Freeze Mini Cheesecakes
The good news is that you can freeze these tasty mini cheesecake cups if you need to save them for more than three days in advance. Once completely cooled, wrap them individually with plastic wrap and transfer the cheesecake bites to a ziploc bag or other airtight container and freeze for up to three months.
To thaw, remove from the freezer and leave at room temperature for one hour or refrigerate overnight. When ready to eat, garnish with whipped cream and fresh raspberries.
More Related Recipes
Easy Mini Oreo Cheesecake Bites
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookie Shot Glasses
Nutella Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse
The BEST Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Creamy Whipped Pumpkin Spice Mousse
Raspberry Swirl Mini Cheesecakes
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups Crushed Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 6 tablespoon Melted Unsalted Butter
Cheesecake Filling
- 24 oz Cream Cheese (room temperature)
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ⅓ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 3 Large Eggs (room temperature)
- 24 Fresh Raspberries For Garnish
- Whipped Cream For Garnish
Raspberry Sauce
- 10 oz Fresh or Frozen Raspberries
- ½ cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
Instructions
The Crust
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and fill two regular sized muffin tin trays with 24 paper liners.
- Place Graham Crackers in a food processor and pulse a few times until they are finely crushed into crumbs (or place Graham crackers in a zip lock bag and crush with a rolling pin).
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter and crushed Graham cracker crumbs with a fork.
- Fill each of the 24 paper lined muffin tin cups with an even layer of the Graham cracker crumb and butter mixture (about 1 ½ -2 tablespoons).
- Using the bottom of a ¼ measuring cup, press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the paper liners to make the crust.
- Bake for 7 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. After 7 minutes take out of the oven and set aside to cool while you make the raspberry sauce and filling.
The Raspberry Sauce
- In a small sauce pot over medium heat, combine frozen raspberries, water, two tablespoons of sugar and cornstarch.
- Let simmer for 5-10 minutes stirring occasionally until sauce starts to thicken.
- Remove from the heat and pour the sauce into a bowl over a fine mesh strainer to separate the seeds from the sauce. Set aside to cool.
Cheesecake Filling
- In a medium bowl beat the cream cheese with an electric hand mixer for about 2 minutes until smooth.
- Add sugar, vanilla extract, sour cream and heavy cream and continue beating on low until just combined.
- Add the eggs and continue beating on low just until eggs are incorporated. Be careful to not over mix the filling.
- Fill each of the 24 muffin tin cups evenly with cheesecake filling using a 3 tablespoon ice cream scoop.
- Next, drizzle about a ½ - 1 tablespoon of raspberry sauce on top of the cheesecake batter.
- With a toothpick, gently swirl the raspberry sauce into the cheesecake filling.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes at 325 degrees until cheesecake is set and the middle is still slightly jiggly.
- Transfer muffin tin trays to a wire rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove the cheesecakes from the muffin tin tray by pinching the sides of the paper liners and lifting up and continue to let cool on a wire rack for 30 more minutes.
- Once completely cool transfer cheesecakes to the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
- When ready to enjoy top with whipped cream and fresh raspberries.
Decor Craft Design says
Wow, it would be a hit in a party. Thanks for sharing it. I will be featuring you this week #HomeMattersParty
Mel
Decor Craft Design
Theresa @Shoestring Elegance says
Thank you for all the yummy recipe share! Looks delicious! Featuring you this week at the Thursday Favorite Things party on Shoestring Elegance!
Rochelle says
These are mouthwateringly delicious! Sweet, but not too sweet. Fresh tasting with the raspberries, and creamy good! Mmmmm!!! I'll make these every time I want a wow reaction.
Tavo says
I found the recipe delicious and super easy to make! Thank you!
Gina says
Great classic cheesecake recipe and love the bite-sized portion control!
Carrie Robinson says
I am loving these perfect little sweet treats! 🙂 I need to whip these up asap.
Casey says
Perfect! Wouldn't change a thing! I am going to try the Oreo ones next! My kids will go nuts for those!
Andrea says
These mini raspberry swirl cheesecakes are little bites of heaven. Creamy and delicious!
Nicholas says
Great recipe. Made these for the holidays and they were a huge hit! Turned out great and everyone loved them.