Mini Cheesecakes with caramel sauce are completely delicious. The cheesecake base is just 3 ingredients! If you appreciate our easy no-bake cheesecake you will love this recipe!
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We have tested scores of mini cheesecake recipes and this is THE ONE!
One of my readers, Marta, wrote in with her 3-ingredient baby cheesecake recipe last month and I instantly fell in love with the flavor, texture and how completely EASY they were. This recipe makes 24 cupcake-sized cheesecakes.
Ingredients for Mini Cheesecake Recipe:
- The sweetened condensed milk is the secret ingredient, making the cheesecake perfectly sweetened and creamy smooth.
- For the topping, we used our easy caramel sauce (you won’t want store-bought after trying it!).
*See notes for Gluten Free Options
How to Make Cheesecake Crust:
1. Prep: Preheat Oven to 350˚F. Line a 24-count standard-sized muffin tin with cupcake liners. Combine 1 1/2 cups crumbs with 6 Tbsp melted butter and 1/2 tsp cinnamon.
2. Stir until crumbs are evenly moistened, then divide evenly between 24-count, lined muffin tins (1 Tbsp in each). Press the crust into the base and slightly up the sides.
How to Make Mini Cheesecakes:
1. In a large bowl, mix 16 oz cream cheese and 3 eggs with whisk attachment (or with a hand mixer) on high speed 5 minutes, or until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add 14 oz condensed milk and mix on LOW speed** until blended (2 minutes).
2. Divide mix evenly over the 24 crusts – filling about 3/4 full (or a level ice cream scoop in each one) and bake at 350˚F for 15 minutes. They should be set with a very slight jiggle in the center. Don’t over-bake. If you notice them starting to crack in the oven, they are over-baking.
3. Cool to room temp in the baking dish then spoon this caramel sauce over each one. Refrigerate 2 hours then top with homemade whipped cream (see “how to make whipped cream” below) and dust with cinnamon if desired. Serve with or without liners.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can completely assemble, decorate, cover and refrigerate overnight. Ours tasted and looked perfect the next day. We just love make-ahead desserts!
Watch Natasha Make Mini Cheesecakes:
Make these baby cheesecakes once and you’ll make them over and over!
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Mini Cheesecakes with Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, from 12 whole crackers*
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
For the Mini Cheesecakes:
- 16 oz cream cheese, from two 8oz packages, softened
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon to garnish, optional
Instructions
How to Make the Crust:
- Prep: Preheat Oven to 350˚F. Line a 24-count muffin tin with standard cupcake liners. Combine 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 6 Tbsp melted butter and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Stir to evenly moisten crumbs.
- Divide crumbs between 24 cupcake liners (about 1 Tbsp in each). Push crumbs into the base and slightly up the sides using a small spoon or your fingers.
How to Make Mini Cheesecakes:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together 16 oz cream cheese and 3 eggs with on high speed 5 minutes, until blended and smooth, scraping down bowl as needed. Add condensed milk and mix on low speed** until blended (2 min).
- Divide cheesecake mix evenly between cupcake liners - about 3/4 full (or a flat ice cream scoop in each one) and bake at 350˚F for 15 min. They should be set with a very slight jiggle in the center. Don't over-bake. If you notice them starting to crack in the oven, they are over-baking.
- Cool to room temp in baking dish then spoon 1/2 to 1 Tbsp caramel sauce over each one. Refrigerate 2 hrs or until fully chilled then top with whipped cream using a piping bag with large star tip. Lightly dust with cinnamon if desired. Serve with or without liners.
How to Make Whipped Cream:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup cold heavy cream, 1 Tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla and beat together with an electric mixer on high speed for 2 minutes or until whipped and fluffy.
Notes
**Cooks Tip: Mixing the condensed milk on LOW speed helps knock out excess air bubbles which can cause the cheesecakes to crack.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Q: Are you a cheesecake lover? What is your favorite variety kind of cheesecake?
I want to make these mini cheesecakes but 24 is a lot. Can these be frozen before adding whipped cream?
Hi Cindi! I haven’t frozen these but generally cheesecake freezes well so it should work fine. Also, you can adjust the serving size in the recipe card which will convert the ingredients for you so you can make a larger/smaller portion.
Crust was soggy and Carmel was grainy. Cheese cake was good.
Hi Jane, I haven’t had that happen but I’m happy to try to troubleshoot – did you have your oven fully preheated when baking? This would prevent a soggy crust. Also make sure to use the same proportions of crumbs to butter. A grainy caramel usually means overheating when the caramel was made (heating on too high of heat, or over-stirring can result in undissolved sugar crystals)
I had someone ask me to make mini egg cheesecakes. Can I make this recipe and fold in some mini eggs before I bake them and then add some on top once they cool. YIA. This is my favourite recipe
Hi June, I haven’t tried that so I’m not sure how it would affect the rise or outcome of the mini cheesecakes. I would probably just garnish the top with the little candy eggs.
Could this recipe be made as a whole cheese cake? And what size pan
Hi Liz, here’s the full version of the recipe.
Hi Natasha!! I love your recipes and I especially love your style!
I will have to try these tasty little cheesecakes and I look forward to seeing more of your culinary art.💖
Thank you so much. I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!