Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10–12 graham crackers)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- A pinch of salt (optional)
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 2 cups cream cheese, softened (ensure it’s halal-certified)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup heavy cream (or halal-certified non-dairy cream if you prefer a dairy-free option)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
For the Berry Topping:
- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional, depending on the sweetness of your berries)
- A few fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Ingredient Highlights
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: These create the classic crust for your mini cheesecakes, providing a crunchy and sweet base that pairs perfectly with the creamy filling.
- Cream Cheese: The heart of the cheesecake filling, cream cheese delivers the rich, velvety texture that makes cheesecakes so irresistible.
- Heavy Cream: Adds the perfect creamy consistency and helps bind the filling together, giving it that luscious, smooth texture.
- Mixed Berries: Fresh, vibrant berries add a burst of color, flavor, and a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheesecake.
- Lemon Juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor of the filling, balancing out the sweetness and adding a touch of tartness.
Instructions
Prepare the Crust:
- Crush the Graham Crackers: Place the graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until they are fine crumbs. Alternatively, you can place them in a sealed bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Mix the Crust Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt (if using). Stir until the mixture is well combined and the crumbs are moistened.
- Scoop the Crust into Molds: If you’re using a mini muffin tin, lightly grease the cups or line them with cupcake liners. Then, spoon about 1 tablespoon of the graham cracker mixture into each cup. Press the crumbs down firmly using a spoon or your fingers to form an even base.
Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
- Beat the Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Sweeteners and Flavoring: Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Continue beating until well incorporated and smooth.
- Whip the Heavy Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. You can do this with a hand whisk or an electric mixer. Be careful not to over-whip.
- Combine the Mixtures: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream. The filling should be light, airy, and smooth.
Assemble the Mini Cheesecakes:
- Fill the Crusts: Spoon the cheesecake filling on top of the graham cracker crusts in your muffin tin, filling each cup almost to the top. Smooth the tops with a spoon or an offset spatula.
- Chill the Mini Cheesecakes: Refrigerate the mini cheesecakes for at least 3 hours, or until they have set. If you need them to set quicker, you can freeze them for about an hour.
Prepare the Berry Topping:
- Prepare the Berries: While the cheesecakes are chilling, wash and dry the mixed berries. If using larger strawberries, slice them into smaller pieces.
- Sweeten the Berries (optional): If the berries need a little extra sweetness, drizzle them with honey or maple syrup and gently stir to coat.
- Garnish the Cheesecakes: Once the cheesecakes have set, top each mini cheesecake bite with a few fresh berries and a sprig of mint for garnish.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the Cheesecakes: Carefully remove the mini cheesecakes from the muffin tin, or peel off the cupcake liners if used. Arrange them on a serving platter or individual plates.
- Enjoy: Serve these Mini Cheesecake Bites with Berry Topping chilled and enjoy the delightful blend of creamy cheesecake and fresh, vibrant fruit.
- Prep Time: 15minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 3g