Mini Key Lime Cheesecake

May 13, 2021 CX3 0 Comments cheesecake, Key, Lime, Mini

By: Mariam E. | May 13, 2021This post may contain affiliate links, read my disclosure policy for details

Sweet but tangy, these Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes are the perfect little desserts to end your meal with. A smooth and creamy key lime flavored filling overtop of a graham cracker crust, you’ll love this twist on a classic cheesecake.

We just love how key limes pie have a delicious tart and tangy taste to it and we wouldn’t get it out of our heads while making cheesecake so I thought why not combine it?! You’re going to love how well these two flavors pair together in these mini key lime cheesecakes. They’re such a fun and tasty twist to cheesecake.

close up shot of mini key lime cupcake with whipped cream and lemon slices on top

Want more delicious dessert recipes? Try my Chocolate Covered Strawberries or my Mixed Berry Galette.

Why You’ll Love These Mini Cheesecakes

They’re delicious! Such a perfect balance between sweet and tangy while still being super creamy.
No water bath needed! This mini key lime cheesecake recipe uses a cupcake tin and we are able to skip the water bath completely.
Freezer friendly. There’s nothing better than having these mini key lime cheesecakes waiting for you in the freezer!

What You’ll Need to Make Mini Key Lime Cheesecake

For Crust:

Graham crackers — finely crushed
Salt
Granulated sugar
Butter — unsalted and melted

For Filling:

Cream cheese — brought to room temperature
Granulated sugar
Eggs — brought to room temperature
Key lime juice
Vanilla

For Topping:

Heavy cream — cold
Powdered sugar
Lime zest

mini key lime cheesecake ingredients laid out

How to Make Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes

Prepare the oven and tin: Preheat the oven to 325F and then line a 12 cavity cupcake tin with cupcake liners and set aside.
Make the crust: In a small bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, salt, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until fully combined. The mixture should be the texture of wet sand. Firmly press 1-1 1⁄2 tablespoons of the crumb mixture into each liner.
Bake the crust: Bake the crusts for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool completely.
Change the oven temperature: Turn the oven down to 300F.
Make the mini cheesecake filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar together on low speed until fully combined and smooth. Add the eggs one at a time. Add the lime juice and vanilla. Mix until fully combined.

cheesecake filling in a muffin tin pan lined with cupcake holders

Bake the cheesecakes: Fill each liner up almost to the top. Bake the cheesecakes for 15 minutes. Then turn the oven off and allow the cheesecakes to sit in the oven for 30 minutes. Crack the oven door open and allow to sit until cooled to room temperature.
Refrigerate the mini cheesecakes: Transfer cheesecakes to the fridge until ready to serve.
Make the topping: In a medium bowl with a hand mixer beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar to stiff peaks. Be sure not to overbeat. Pipe or scoop the whipped cream on top of the chilled cheesecakes. Sprinkle lime zest on top.

Tips for Making Mini Cheesecakes

Crushed graham crackers can be purchased if you don’t want to crush your own.
Be sure to use the blocks of cream cheese and not low fat cream cheese or spreadable cream cheese, they do not yield the same results!
The ingredients need to be room temperature as it’ll help avoid your filling being lumpy. Since cold ingredients will need more mixing to combine, it’ll cause you to over mix your batter.
Be sure to zest the limes before you juice them, It’s much easier doing it in that order.

mini keylime cheesecake topped with whipped cream and lime slices and sliced in the middle showing the center

FAQs

What’s the difference between regular limes and key limes?

Key limes are more aromatic as well as being more tart with floral juices compared to regular limes. They also have more seeds than regular limes so be sure you have a strainer or a juicer that will catch all the seeds!

Can I use bottled key lime juice?

I really recommend you use fresh key lime for these mini cheesecakes. Bottled lime juice just does not have that fresh tart and tangy flavor that we want for the cheesecakes!

How do I zest a lime without a zester?

You can carefully use a vegetable peeler to get the lime skin off and then cut it up finely with a knife.

How do I know that the cheesecakes are done?

Do the jiggle test for your mini cheesecakes! When your mini key lime cheesecakes are done, the center of the cheesecakes should jiggle slightly.

Why did my cheesecake filling sink down?

Usually the middle of your cheesecake will sink down if there’s too much air in the batter. It’s important to not over-mix your batter and have room temperature ingredients.

How long do mini key lime cheesecakes last?

The mini cheesecakes will last for up to 5 days in the fridge. You can make the whipped cream on the day of. The lime zest can be stored separately until you’re ready to top it off!

How do I freeze these mini cheesecakes?

If you’d like to freeze the key lime cheesecakes, skip adding on the toppings and allow the cheesecakes to fully cool before attempting to freeze them. Transfer the cold cheesecakes to a sheet pan in the freezer and let it freeze, uncovered. When frozen solid, transfer the mini cheesecakes to a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months.

How do I thaw frozen mini cheesecakes?

Thaw your cheesecake in the fridge overnight. If you’re in a rush, you can place it at room temperature until it’s no longer frozen.

How do I peel the liners off cleanly?

Once you’ve chilled the cheesecakes, the liners should peel off cleanly. If they’re still having trouble with the liners sticking to the cheesecakes, try putting them in the freezer.

mini keylime cheesecake topped with whipped cream and lime slices

More Desserts You’ll Love

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it and share it with your friends and family!

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