Mini Cheesecakes with caramel sauce are completely delicious and easy to make since the cheesecake base is just 3 ingredients! If you love the classic taste and texture of a classic Cheesecake but want the simplicity of a No-Bake Cheesecake you will love this recipe!

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Best Mini Cheesecake Recipe
We have tested scores of mini cheesecake recipes and it’s easy to say, this is THE ONE! One of my readers, Marta, shared her 3-ingredient mini cheesecake recipe with me, and I instantly fell in love with the flavor, texture, and how completely easy they were. This recipe makes 24 cupcake-sized cheesecakes.
Here, we used Marta’s cheesecake recipe, added a super-simple graham cracker crust, and drizzled sweet caramel and whipped cream over each one.
We just love mini, individual-sized desserts like Creme Brulee or Chocolate Souffle, and these mini cheesecakes are so easy and delicious that they will become one of your go-to desserts.
Mini Cheesecakes Video
Watch Natasha whip up these simple mini cheesecakes while giving you her tips on how to make them easy to make and look great for a party. Make these baby cheesecakes once and you’ll make them over and over!
Ingredients for Mini Cheesecakes:
These mini cheesecakes come together quickly and can be easily doubled to treat a whole crowd.
- Cream Cheese – room temperature so it mixes evenly. We use regular cream cheese bricks for the best texture and taste. Light or whipped won’t create the same flavor.
- Eggs – room-temperature eggs are the secret to making the batter
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – the secret ingredient, making the cheesecake perfectly sweetened and creamy smooth
- Crust – graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and cinnamon combine to make the perfect cheesecake crust. For gluten-free mini cheesecakes, substitute GF graham crackers or omit the crust.
- Topping – we used our easy Caramel Sauce (you won’t want store-bought after trying it!), using just 4 ingredients. If you want some variety, you can also try the strawberry topping in our Mini Strawberry Cheesecake recipe.

How to Make Mini Crusts
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 24-count standard-sized muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, and cinnamon in a bowl until evenly moistened.
- Spoon the mixture evenly into the lined muffin tins, and press the crumbs into the base and slightly up the sides.






How to Make Mini Cheesecakes
- Whisk the cream cheese and eggs (by hand or with a hand mixer) on high speed for 5 minutes, or until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add condensed milk and mix on LOW speed for 2 minutes to avoid adding air bubbles that can cause the cheesecakes to crack when baking.
- Divide the batter evenly over the 24 crusts, filling each one about 3/4 full (or with a level ice cream scoop), and bake at 350˚F for 15 minutes. The cheesecakes should be set but still have a very slight jiggle in the center. Do not overbake.
- Cool the cupcakes in the muffin tin to room temperature before spooning Caramel Sauce over each one. Refrigerate the cooled and topped cheesecakes for 2 hours. Then, dollop homemade whipped cream (see directions below) and dust with cinnamon, if desired.






Pro Tip
Avoid overbaking. Due to their small size, mini cheesecakes cook much faster than traditional Cheesecakes, so it’s easy to overbake. Take them out of the oven when the edges are set and the center may have a very slight wobble. Also, cracking is a sign of overbaking.
How to Make Whipped Cream Topping
- Combine 1 cup cold heavy cream, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp of vanilla in a large mixing bowl (preferably a chilled bowl). Beat the ingredients together with an electric mixture or hand mixer on high speed for 2 minutes or until fluffy. Using a piping bag with a star tip, pipe the whipped cream over each cupcake.

Make-Ahead
You can completely assemble, decorate, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In fact, ours tasted and looked perfect the next day. We just love make-ahead desserts!
- To Refrigerate: Cover in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 days
- Freezing: Before topping with sauce or whipped cream, flash-freeze cheesecakes by placing them on a sheet pan in the freezer. When frozen, store it in a covered container or ziptop bag in a single layer, being sure to get the air out of the container.
- To Serve: Thaw in the fridge overnight.

These mini cheesecakes are so easy to make and so incredibly creamy and delicious! Make them a day ahead to take one “to-do” off your list before hosting friends and family, because these cheesecake cupcakes are truly the perfect party dessert!
More Mini Dessert Recipes
Once you try this mini cheesecake recipe, we bet you’ll fall in love with bite-sized desserts, especially when hosting! Here are a few of our favorite mini desserts to serve at your next party.
- Pavlovas
- Mini Pumpkin Pies
- Baklava Cups
- Eton Mess
- Raspberry Mousse Cups
- Vanilla Cupcakes
- Coconut Balls
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.
- In a bowl, 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 level 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.
I was skeptical about using only 3 ingredients to make cheesecake, but WOW I’m a believer, they’re creamy and light and oh so delicious. I’m never going back, this is now the go to for this household. Kudos!, and Thank You!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Made these for Christmas and everyone loved them. This is the easiest cheesecake recipe I’ve ever made. Will keep making them!
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me 🙂
Natacha j’ai visionnée la vidéo des mini cheese cake et tu es tout simplement magnifique! .
Je donnerai mon avis quand j’aurai essayé la recette.
I’m so happy to hear that! I look forward to your review!
What if I wanted to do this as a whole came, not cupcakes? What size pan would be best? Cook time?
Hi Mary! We have this cheesecake here that you may enjoy. Simply top with Caramel
Hi Natasha
planing to do mini cheesecakes and i got a question. is must be graham crakers/cookes or can I use any? thank you x
I haven’t tried any other base but I think other options may work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Have tried other base and it did work well. Love it. Definitely will do again. And will tried to do like an original one x thank you for your recipes. They are the best 👍
That’s so great!
Do you think I could freeze these? I would add a topping once thawed. Thanks!
Hi Lesya, I haven’t tried freezing mini cheesecakes, but I imagine these would freeze and thaw fine. I suggest thawing in the fridge.
Love these mini cheesecake. Would love to turn them into lemon cheesecake any advice x
Hi Tina! I don’t see why not! You can use a lemon topping with that instead of caramel 🙂
Hello , I’m planning to make these on Saturday and want to use my mini cheesecake trays they’re smaller than a regular size muffin tray. That should be ok right ? I’m going to freeze them and take them out Xmas eve when I’ll add the caramel and whipped cream. I’m serving Xmas day. Should be ok right ? I’ve frozen slices of cheesecake before and I can’t tell the difference.
I think that should work as minis! We used regular cupcake tins for this recipe and I haven’t tried anything smaller than that. I look forward to hearing how you like it!
I made these and they are delicious. I made them for a cookie swap and someone asked for the recipe. I am making more for Christmas Day
That’s so great! I’m so happy you enjoyed that
Hi Annette, did u still bake the mini cakes at 15 mins or do u half the baking time since the pan is smaller than the regular sized one?
Hi, i have done these mini cheesecake already twice, they are really delicious and with my daughters advice we have topped them
I’m so happy you enjoyed that, Basia!!!
Hi Natasha! I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of your recipes, I’ve never been disappointed. I plan on making these today and was wondering if I could use your blueberry sauce that you use in you New York Style Cheesecake instead of the caramel sauce. Thoughts?
I don’t see why not. I think any topping would be good on this!
I did not see the recipe for the caramel sauce ? Is there one?
Hi Muriel, I have the caramel sauce linked in the ingredients section, but here is a direct link. I hope you love the mini cheesecakes recipe! 🙂
Made these for Thanksgiving and everyone said they were amazing! Loved that every part was made from scratch. Thank you for a new family favorite!
I love that you found a new family favorite! Thank you for that great review, BethAnn!!
Made these for Thanksgiving. They were a huge hit. I just piped the whipped cream and drizzled the caramel over the top, since i didn’t want it to be too sweet and they were delicious!
That’s a great idea! Thank you for sharing this with me, Julia!
Thank you very much I liked the condensed milk taste on the mini cheese cake that’s why I asked btw I made the minis and they came out awesome and so delicious also did the Carmel sauce and whip cream everything came out amazing thanks again pls keep
posting and sharing your I love them all
Have a blessed Thanksgiving ❤️
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Golin! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Can i use same ingredients to make a whole cheesecake? Would it work? And if so how long do I bake is for?
Hi Golin, I haven’t tested this one as a full cheesecake so I can’t really advise. When making a full-size cheesecake, my go-to recipe is this New York-style Cheesecake, which is also very easy and popular 🙂
Simply Amazing!! SO SO GOOD!
Thank you for the wonderful review!
Simply Amazing! So so good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Totally making them for Thanksgiving..looks so yummy and easy to make. Thanks Natasha!
Happy Thanksgiving darling❤
My pleasure Violetta! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Hi Natasha, I am planning on making these for Thanksgiving. I wanted to see if I can skip a few steps and use store bought whipped cream store bought caramel sauce? Thank you
I’m sure that will work fine since they are toppings. We prefer the homemade version but that will definitely save time!
I’ve seen mini cheesecakes with pie filling for a topping. Instead of using caramel sauce on these, can you just use cherry or lemon pie filling for the topping?
Hi Lucy! Absolutely! Here is our mini strawberry cheesecakes recipe for inspiration.