Mini Key Lime Cheesecake has a smooth and creamy key lime filling and an easy homemade graham cracker crust. The perfect treat for any time of year.
Key lime cheesecake recipes are great to make for Easter celebrations or in the summer for a yummy dessert.
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Why this Lime Cheesecake Recipe is a Keeper
I love key lime pie, so this cheesecake recipe is incredible. It doesn’t take long and it’s absolutely delicious! So if you love the flavor of key lime too, try this easy recipe.
- 20 Minute Prep: This recipe only takes 20 minutes of prep before baking and chilling.
- Easy Ingredients: You will need 10 easy ingredients to make this little mini key lime-flavored dessert.
- Family Friendly: Everyone is going to love key lime flavor cheesecakes.
- Makes Great Leftovers: Throw it in the fridge and it’s just as good the next day! It is even better.
If you’re looking for more cheesecake recipes, try these Cherry Cheesecake Bites, No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake and Cherry Cheesecake Dessert Wontons
What is the Difference Between Limes and Key Limes?
Key limes are not as big and green as regular limes are, they’re smaller and yellow. They also tend to be more aromatic and have a more tart flavor than just regular limes.
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Mini Key Lime Pie Cheesecakes Ingredient Notes
- Cream Cheese: Let your cream cheese soften before using, ensuring no lumps.
- Graham Crackers: I like to use regular honey graham crackers, but you could try the cinnamon sugar ones as well!
- Key Limes: Using key limes in this recipe is what is going to make it absolutely delicious. You can find key limes in the grocery store.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions
- Greek Yogurt: Use greek yogurt instead of sour cream in your creamy key lime cheesecake filling. It’s the perfect substitution.
- Key Lime Juice: You can use bottled key lime juice or squeeze your own fresh key lime juice. You can find key limes easily and only need one to get both key lime juice and zest.
Special Equipment Needed for Making Mini Cheesecakes
- Mini Cheesecake Pan: If you don’t have a mini cheesecake pan, that’s okay! In this recipe we’re using a muffin pan and cupcake liners.
Pro Tip
Swirl the tops of the cheesecakes using green food coloring and add lime zest to top.
How to Make Mini Key Lime Pies
This easy key lime cheesecake recipe comes together in just 4 simple steps!
These are the basic steps for making Mini Key Lime Cheesecake. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. We love reader interaction so leave us a comment below if you try these cheesecake cupcakes.
1. Prep Baking Tray
Preheat the oven to 325. Use a cupcake tray and line with cupcake liners for your little cheesecakes.
2. Make the Crust
Blend graham crackers until you have fine crumbs. Pour the graham cracker crumbs into a medium mixing bowl and add the melted butter and sugar. Stir together until combined.
Evenly distribute the buttery graham cracker crust in each liner, press down using your thumb and bake for 5 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
3. Cheesecake Filling
Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment add the sour cream, cream cheese and sugar and beat on medium speed until well combined.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl of a stand mixer and add the lime zest, food coloring, vanilla extract and add the lime juice and vanilla extract. Mix until combined, add in the egg and beat until just combined.
4. Bake the Cheesecakes and Chill
Evenly distribute the cheesecake filling between all 12 liners. Bake cheesecake batter for another 15 minutes until the tops no longer appear wet.
Remove from oven and allow to fully cool. Cover and place the cheesecakes in the refrigerator for one hour to chill. When the cheesecakes are set, add whipped cream on top of each cheesecake and garnish if desired.
Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes Recipe FAQs
Expert Baking Tips for Making This Mini Cheesecake Dessert Recipe
- Double This Recipe: Lime cheesecakes are the perfect addition to any party. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two cupcake pans before baking.
- Shortbread Crust: Make a shortbread cookie crust instead of a traditional graham cracker crust
- Room Temperature Ingredients: If your ingredients are at room temperature your cake will be much smoother.
- Paper Liners: Use smooth paper liners, instead of the ones with the crimps, to have smoother mini cheesecakes.
- Toppings: Add fruit like a slice of lime for more lime taste, raspberries, or strawberries to the tops of your lime cheesecake filling and whipped cream.
What to Serve with Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes
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Mini Key Lime Cheesecake
Equipment
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 6 Sheets Graham crackers, 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons Butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons White granulated sugar
Key Lime Filling
- 12 ounces Cream cheese
- ¼ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup White granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons Key lime juice
- 1 teaspoon Key lime zest
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 large Egg
- 1 drop Green food coloring, optional
Topping
- Whipped cream
- Key lime slices
- Key lime zest
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- Preheat your oven to 325. Use a 12 count cupcake tray and line each cavity with a cupcake liner.
- Blend graham crackers until you have fine crumbs. Pour the crumbs into a medium size mixing bowl and add the melted butter and sugar. Stir together until combined.
- Evenly distribute the graham cracker mixture in each liner and press down using your thumb.
- Bake the crust for 5 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
Key Lime Filling
- Using a hand-held mixer or a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, add the cream cheese, sour cream, granulated white sugar and beat on medium speed until well combined.
- Add in the key lime juice, zest, vanilla extract, and dye and continue to mix until combined. Finally, add in the egg and beat until just combined.
- Evenly pour the key lime filling into each cupcake liner. Place back into the oven on 325 for another 15 minutes. The tops should no longer appear wet.
- Take out of the oven and allow the cheesecakes to fully cool. Place the covered cheesecakes into the refrigerator for one hour to chill. Top with whipped cream and garnish if desired.
Expert Tips
- Double This Recipe: Lime cheesecakes are the perfect addition to any party. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two cupcake pans before baking.
- Shortbread Crust: Make a shortbread cookie crust instead of a traditional graham cracker crust
- Room Temperature Ingredients: If your ingredients are at room temperature your cake will be much smoother.
- Paper Liners: Use smooth paper liners, instead of the ones with the crimps, to have smoother mini cheesecakes.
- Toppings: Add fruit like a slice of lime, raspberries or strawberries to the tops of your lime cheesecake filling and whipped cream.