Easy Mini Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake Recipe

A delicious mini strawberry cheesecake recipe with a buttery graham cracker crust and a creamy cheesecake filling swirled with homemade strawberry sauce. Perfectly portioned individual cheesecakes for any and every occasion!  

 

mini strawberry cheesecakes on a cutting board

 

Why You’ll Love This Mini Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

 

These Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes are a twist on a classic cheesecake recipe because I use cream cheese and Greek yogurt plus I am making MINIS!  I love an individual dessert. The strawberry swirl is easier than it looks and divine. A few more reasons to love this perfect dessert recipe: 

 

  • perfect portion and lighter than a traditional cheesecake.
  • adaptable for different flavor variations.
  • can be made dairy-free, and even gluten-free or grain-free.
  • perfect for Spring or Summer holidays and entertaining.
  • you can make it ahead.  We love those recipes!

Ingredient Notes

 

This easy recipe requires simple ingredients, a food processor, and a muffin tin! Check out my recipe tips and substitutions below tips on how to modify this recipe to your preferences. See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and detailed instructions. 

 

recipe ingredients

 

  • Strawberries – I use fresh strawberries to make the strawberry swirl, but if it’s not strawberry season or you don’t have them on hand, you can also use frozen berries. A blueberry sauce would go well with this recipe as well. 
  • Sugar – you only need a little bit of sugar to sweeten the fruit sauce or you can use fruit preserves. 
  • Graham crackers – I use traditional graham crackers that I break into fine crumbs in a food processor. Use gluten-free crackers if necessary. 
  • Coconut oil – I like to use unrefined coconut oil, which has a slight coconut flavor compared to refined oil. If you’re not a fan of coconut oil, feel free to use melted butter instead. 
  • Maple syrup – it’s my favorite sweetener and I like the flavor, but I only use pure maple syrup.
  • Greek yogurt – I use an unsweetened whole-milk Greek yogurt, but you can use firm tofu if you’re dairy-free. 
  • Cream cheese – is traditional in a cheesecake recipe. I use plain, full-fat cream cheese, but a vegan almond milk cream cheese works well here.
  • Eggs – I use two large eggs. 
  • Arrowroot – is a starchy flour that performs similarly to cornstarch, but is more natural. I use it a lot to thicken up sauces or in grain-free baking. 
  • Vanilla extract – use pure vanilla extract without any additives or artificial flavors for best results. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

 

blending cooked strawberries with immersion blender

Step 1: Prepare the homemade strawberry sauce for the swirl: Place the strawberries and 1 ½ tablespoons of water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until the strawberries begin to soften, about 4 minutes. You can try to mash the strawberries with a potato masher to release some of their moisture. Add the maple syrup or preserves and simmer for another 3-4 minutes until the strawberries are very soft and it starts to look like a chunky sauce. Blend the strawberry mixture with an immersion blender or regular blender until smooth. Allow the sauce to cool while you prepare the rest of the recipe.

muffins cups lined with parchment strips

Step 2: Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Grease 12 to 14 standard muffin tin (depending on how many you have) with unsalted butter or coconut oil. Cut six to seven (depending on how many muffin cups you have) 2-inch wide, 12-inch long strips of unbleached parchment paper, and then cut each in half crosswise (14 strips). Line each greased muffin cup with a parchment strip, leaving a tab on either end for easy removal. This is the key step in this recipe and will allow for the mini cheesecakes to come out cleanly.

muffin cups filled with graham cracker crumbs

Step 3: Prepare the crust: In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until they are finely ground. Add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and salt to the graham crackers and pulse until moist crumbs form like wet sand and the mixture is well combined.

 

Step 4: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the crumbs into each prepared muffin cup and press to form an even layer at the base, using the back of the tablespoon, if desired. Wipe out the food processor to use for the filling.

 

Step 5: Bake the crusts for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The crusts can be made a day ahead. Lower the oven temperature to 325 F.

filling muffin wells with cheesecake filling

Step 6: Prepare the filling: combine the yogurt, cream cheese, and maple syrup in the food processor and process until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the eggs, arrowroot, vanilla, and salt and continue to process until the cheesecake batter is smooth and well mixed, about a minute more.

strawberry swirl on a mini cheesecake

Step 7: Fill each muffin cup to the top with cheesecake filling. Add tiny dollops of strawberry sauce over each cheesecake. Swirl the sauce into the filling with the tip of a paring knife or toothpick. Don’t overdo it. Bake cheesecake until the custard is lightly golden and set at the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center, 20 to 25 minutes. The key is not to overbake because the filling will continue to firm up as it cools.

baked mini strawberry cheesecakes

Step 8: Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled. Run a thin knife around the edge and pull up on both ends of the parchment to remove. Serve with fresh berries or extra strawberry sauce.

 

Recipe Tips 

  • These mini strawberry cheesecakes can be made several days ahead and kept refrigerated in the muffin tin, covered with plastic wrap. 
  • Don’t overcook the filling. You want the filling to be jiggly like jello. It will continue to firm up as it cools out of the oven. 
  • If you overcook it and the tops of your cheesecakes crack, don’t worry. They’ll still be delicious.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for best results.
  • Pack in the crust ingredients well so you don’t have a crumbly bottom.
  • The key step is using parchment paper tabs. I tried these with muffin liners and they did not turn out well. They stuck to the paper liners and did not have a clean edge.
  • Run a thin knife around the edge of the cheesecake. No need to get the knife down to the bottom where the crust is. Gently pull up on the tabs to remove the cheesecakes.

 

Recipe Substitutions

  • Strawberries – use fresh or frozen berries, or thin strawberry preserves, or omit the strawberry swirl and use lemon zest in the filling or mini chocolate chips
  • Graham crackers – look for gluten-free if necessary or grain-free cookies. You need 2 cups of CRUMBS.
  • Coconut oil – melted butter or plant butter
  • Maple syrup – honey (white or brown sugar will probably work fine, but I have never tested it.)
  • Greek yogurt – an equal amount of firm tofu
  • Cream cheese – vegan cream cheese, such as an almond milk cream cheese
  • Arrowroot – cornstarch

Serving and Storage Tips

Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled. Run a thin knife around the edge and pull up on both ends of the parchment to remove. Serve topped with fresh berries or more fresh strawberry sauce and a little whipped cream if desired.

To store, transfer your mini cheesecakes to an airtight container, with a sheet of parchment paper separating the layers to keep them from sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

mini strawberry cheesecake recipe finished on a cutting board

a bit take out of one mini cheesecake

More Dessert Recipes

 

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Mini Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake

Pamela
A delicious mini strawberry cheesecake recipe with a buttery graham cracker crust and a creamy cheesecake filling swirled with homemade strawberry sauce. Perfectly portioned individual cheesecakes for any and every occasion!
4.50 from 2 votes
Servings 12 to 14 2.75-inch cheesecakes

Ingredients
  

  • Unsalted butter or unrefined virgin coconut oil for muffin tin
  • 1 12 x 14-inch piece of unbleached parchment paper cut into 7 (2 x 12)-inch strips
  • For the Strawberry Swirl: double this if you want extra sauce
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries chopped
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons water
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar or strawberry preserves
  • For the crust:
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs* about 14 standard crackers pulverized in a food processor
  • 5 Tablespoons unrefined coconut oil melted
  • 2 1/2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • For the Filling:
  • 1â…“ cups unsweetened whole milk Greek yogurt** at room temperature
  • 6 ounces cream cheese or almond milk cream cheese at room temperature
  • â…” cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 ½ Tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
  • ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the strawberry swirl: Place the strawberries and 1 ½ tablespoons of water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until the strawberries begin to soften, about 4 minutes. You can try to mash the strawberries with a potato masher to release some of their moisture. Add the maple syrup or preserves and simmer for another 3-4 minutes until the strawberries are very soft and it starts to look like a chunky sauce. Blend the strawberry mixture with an immersion blender or regular blender until smooth. Allow the sauce to cool while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Grease 12 to 14 standard muffin cups (depends how many you have) with unsalted butter or coconut oil. Cut six to seven (depending how many muffin cups you have) 2-inch wide, 12-inch long strips of unbleached parchment paper, and then cut each in half crosswise (14 strips). Line each greased muffin cup with a parchment strip, leaving a tab on either end for easy removal. This is the key step in this recipe and will allow for the cheesecakes to come out cleanly.
  • Prepare the crust: In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until they are finely ground. Add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and salt to the graham crackers and pulse until moist crumbs form like wet sand and the mixture is well combined.
  • Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the crumbs into each prepared muffin cup and press to form an even layer at the base, using the back of the tablespoon, if desired. Wipe out the food processor to use for the filling.
  • Bake the crusts for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The crusts can be made a day ahead. Lower the oven temperature to 325 F.
  • Prepare the filling: combine the yogurt, cream cheese, and maple syrup in the food processor and process until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the eggs, arrowroot, vanilla, and salt and continue to process until the batter is smooth and well mixed, about a minute more.
  • Fill each muffin cup to the top with cheesecake filling. Add tiny dollops of strawberry sauce over each cheesecake. Swirl the sauce into the filling with the tip of a paring knife or toothpick. Don’t overdo it. Bake until the custard is lightly golden and set at the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center, 20 to 25 minutes. The key is not to overbake because the filling will continue to firm up as it cools.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled. Run a thin knife around the edge and pull up on both ends of the parchment to remove. Serve with fresh berries or extra strawberry sauce.

Notes

Recipe Tips
These mini strawberry cheesecakes can be made several days ahead and kept refrigerated in the muffin tin, covered with plastic wrap.
Don't overcook the filling. You want the filling to be jiggly like jello. It will continue to firm up as it cools out of the oven.
If you overcook it and the tops of your cheesecakes crack, don't worry. They'll still be delicious.
Use room temperature ingredients for best results.
Pack in the crust ingredients well so you don't have a crumbly bottom.
The key step is using parchment paper tabs. I tried these with muffin liners and they did not turn out well. They stuck to the paper liners and did not have a clean edge.
Run a thin knife around the edge of the cheesecake. No need to get the knife down to the bottom where the crust is. Gently pull up on the tabs to remove the cheesecakes.
Recipe Substitutions
Strawberries - use fresh or frozen berries, or thin strawberry preserves, or omit the strawberry swirl and use lemon zest in the filling or mini chocolate chips
Graham crackers - look for gluten-free if necessary or grain-free cookies. You need 2 cups of CRUMBS.
Coconut oil - melted butter or plant butter
Maple syrup - honey (white or brown sugar will probably work fine, but I have never tested it.)
Greek yogurt - an equal amount of firm tofu
Cream cheese - vegan cream cheese, such as an almond milk cream cheese
Arrowroot - cornstarch
Serving and Storage Tips
Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled. Run a thin knife around the edge and pull up on both ends of the parchment to remove. Serve topped with fresh berries or more fresh strawberry sauce and a little whipped cream if desired.
To store, transfer your mini cheesecakes to an airtight container, with a sheet of parchment paper separating the layers to keep them from sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

S’mores Ice Cream Cake Recipe

There is not one way to make this s’mores ice cream cake but you can look at it 2 ways: crust + ice cream + topping OR graham cracker component + chocolate component + marshmallow component. You can have all the components folded into the ice cream and do without a marshmallow topping, or go extra and cover the ice cream pie with a store-bought fudge sauce and a marshmallow cream. Torch or broil it for that campfire effect! The key is just make sure you have graham crackers somewhere, chocolate somewhere, and marshmallows somewhere if you want to call this a S’Mores Ice Cream Cake!Continue reading

Pumpkin Crumble Bars Recipe

Just when I think I can’t come up with another awesome pumpkin dessert recipe, I do!  This is a pumpkin pie meets a crumble meets a gingersnap cookie!  What’s not to love? And it’s so easy, has make-ahead written all over it and can be adaptable.  There are many twists on this recipe including a graham cracker crust or a chocolate cookie crust and you can omit the crumble topping if you want to keep this simple.Continue reading

In the Veggie Kitchen: Fourth of July with Jenni Kayne and a Yogurt and Blueberry Tart Recipe

July 4th table setting

I once again had the pleasure of teaching the always stylish and gracious Jenni Kayne and her lovely friends a July 4th cooking class at her gorgeous home.  Although I teach at Jenni’s home every month, this was a special class in which we also partnered with The Chalkboard, one of my very favorite sites.  With Independence Day just around the corner, Jenni wanted to create the perfect holiday get-together that was festive, but relaxed.  My job was to come up with the deliciousness! July 4th menus

If you have seen some of the classes I have done at Jenni’s before, you know that every detail is so beautiful and perfect, you want to go recreate the whole thing on your own.  One of the best parts of Jenni’s Rip + Tan blog is that she generously provides sources for everything, from table linens to straws to jars.  What I just loved about the décor is that it was in the spirit of the holiday, but still beautiful and understated, without going overboard.  Please check out Rip + Tan for more photos and details about the decor. napkins   buffet table   Chic water dispenser

This year, I made five recipes that I think are easy, seasonal, healthful and perfect for summer entertaining.  We started with some delicious vegan beet and black bean burgers which I will be teaching in my classes this summer.  I love salads at this time of year and especially for entertaining since most of the ingredients can be prepped in advance.  At Jenni’s I whipped up a charred corn salad, a vegetarian antipasto chopped salad, and an arugula and farro salad with peaches.  All so yummy and healthy and I will post them all before July 4th!  For dessert, you will love this yogurt and blueberry tart in a graham cracker crust, which I am sharing today.

making the crust

Have you ever tried straining Greek yogurt overnight?  It comes out with a texture like cream cheese!  No joke!  I stirred in a little Grade A maple syrup and some vanilla beans (although you could definitely use vanilla extract) and the result is a super thick and creamy, spreadable yogurt for a delicious tart filling.  This tart is lightly sweet, which I love, and I think it would equally welcome for brunch as it is for a dessert. strained Greek yogurt   strained yogurt with vanilla and maple syrup remove vanilla seeds from pod tart ready for some blueberry sauce

Since I am beyond crazy for the fresh blueberry sauce I posted last year, I poured that on top for the perfect finish.  Of course you can do something more red, white and blue by topping the tart with fresh raspberries and blueberries.  These berry tarts from Martha Stewart look darling and can give you some inspiration for using fresh fruit.  Or you can use any type of fresh fruit sauce like peaches, cherries, or citrus in the winter.  So many delicious ways to enjoy this!

love this blueberry sauce Yogurt and Blueberry Tart   yogurt and blueberry tart

 

 

 
 
 

 
 
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Yogurt and Blueberry Tart

Pamela
Servings 0 makes one 9-inch tart which serves about 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • For the Graham Cracker Crust:
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs* about 14 standard crackers pulverized in the food processor (click here for my recipe for homemade graham crackers. The recipe is gluten-free adaptable.)
  • 3 Tablespoons coconut sugar or cane sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • For the Filling:
  • 3 cups plain unsweetened Greek-style full- fat yogurt, strained 4 hours or overnight*
  • 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup raw honey or cane sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean scraped (use the pod to flavor sugar or discard)
  • 1 pint fresh blueberries for garnish or blueberry sauce recipe below

Instructions
 

  • To make the crust, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Blend graham crackers, sugar and salt in a food processor until graham crackers are finely ground. Add butter and vanilla; process until moist crumbs form. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and sides of a 9-inch round tart pan, springform pan or pie plate. Bake crust until deep golden brown, about 12 minutes. Cool completely.
  • In a medium bowl, mix the strained yogurt with the maple syrup and the scraped beans from the vanilla bean. Spread the yogurt mixture in the crust and smooth the top. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for a few hours.
  • Garnish with fresh blueberries or pour blueberry sauce over the top. Store leftovers in the refrigerator, however crust will be soft the next day

Notes

I have tried this recipe with alternative yogurts, such as coconut, but they will not strain to the same thick, cream cheese-like consistency as the Greek yogurt.
*To strain yogurt: place a thin, clean tea towel/flour sack towel or a double layer of cheesecloth inside a colander. Place the yogurt in the tea towel and wrap up to cover the yogurt. Place the colander in a large bowl or on top of a plate to catch any drips and place in fridge overnight.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

 

FRESH BLUEBERRY SAUCE

make 1 1/4 cups of sauce

 

1 ½ – 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder (depending on how thick you want it)

1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 pint blueberries

3 Tablespoons Grade A maple syrup

3 Tablespoons water

 

 

  1. In a small bowl, whisk the arrowroot in the lemon juice until dissolved. Set aside.
  2. Place the blueberries, maple syrup and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 4 minutes.
  3. Add the arrowroot and lemon juice mixture and stir to combine. Simmer for another 3-4 minutes until blueberries are very soft and sauce has thickened.
  4. Serve warm over pancakes or ice cream or refrigerate up to 5 days for later use.

 

Grilled banana s’mores recipe

I had my first s’more on a girl scout camping trip when I was 12 and I thought it was genius.  I loved that crispy graham cracker paired with a smooshy, slightly burnt marshmallow and the way the chocolate just started to melt a little.  Do-it-yourself desserts are just so fun to put together too, especially when you’re with friends.  I remember sitting around the campfire with the other girls trying to get the perfect golden toastiness on our marshmallows without actually setting them on fire and then giggling as we snuck an extra square of chocolate, because why the heck wouldn’t we?

I think s’mores have a way of bringing out the kid in all of us, so they are always a welcome dessert in the summer when we have other families over for dinner.  Set your s’mores bar with homemade graham crackers and your family and friends will be like, “no you didn’t!”  I certainly don’t have to tell you how to put together a s’more, but I thought I would share a fun twist on a classic.

Since I think marshmallows border on toxicity (I can be fun, really!), that was my target in creating a more healthful s’more.  Basically, I grill firm, but ripe and speckled bananas and use those in place of the marshmallows.  You still get something sweet, something soft and something that tastes amazing with chocolate and graham crackers.  The point of grilling them is just to get them warm enough so they melt the chocolate a little bit, so watch out for chocolate dripping down your chin.  With all the fun, new chocolates out there, I think it would be amazing to put out some interesting ones for people to use.  Picture a grilled banana s’more paired with caramel and sea salt chocolate or one laced with hot pepper or bits of lavender.  Did I have you at “grilled?”

Grilled Banana S'mores

Pamela
Servings 0 makes 12

Ingredients
  

  • 24 graham crackers I used 3 x 3 ½ inch homemade
  • 3 3.5- ounce thin bars of chocolate thin is better so that it can melt a little
  • oil for brushing the grill such as coconut or olive oil
  • 2 large or 3 medium firm but ripe bananas

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the grill to medium.
  • Arrange 12 graham crackers on a platter and top with a 1-ounce piece of chocolate or a piece large enough to fit.
  • Peel the bananas and slice in half crosswise. If the bananas are large, you can cut them in thirds. Then slice each piece lengthwise. Brush the grill with oil and grill bananas 2-3 minutes on each side until warm. The goal is just to get them warm so that they melt the chocolate slightly. You can also arrange the bananas on a baking sheet and broil them for a couple minutes until warm and toasty.
  • Top each piece of chocolate with a banana slice and then with a graham cracker. Serve immediately.

Notes

Another option is to make s’mores sandwiches with raw bananas, wrap each individually with parchment and foil and place on the grill over medium heat until chocolate is slightly melted.
Or you can forgo the square of chocolate and spread with chocolate nut butter. Delish!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!