Mini Muffin-Tin Lemon-Raspberry Cheesecake

(7)

Cream cheese and lemon combine with raspberries and a splash of vanilla in these mini muffin-tin cheesecakes. This easy recipe is perfect for brunch or any time you need a cute dessert to feed a crowd.

a recipe photo of the Mini Muffin Tin Lemon-Raspberry Cheesecake
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
12
Nutrition Profile:
  • Cream cheese brings a classic tartness and velvety texture to these mini cheesecakes.
  • Raspberries add fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants, supporting heart and gut health.
  • A cookie scoop ensures that each muffin cup gets the same amount of batter for even baking.

These easy Mini Muffin-Tin Lemon-Raspberry Cheesecakes are perfectly portion-sized for your next brunch or gathering. Rich, velvety cheesecake is infused with bright lemon and fruity antioxidant-rich raspberries, while a traditional graham cracker crust provides a base for each one. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to get each cheesecake out of the pan in one piece.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • To prevent your cheesecakes from sticking to the muffin tins, we suggest you lightly coat the tins with cooking spray before adding the batter. After baking, allow the cheesecakes to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate them for 1 to 24 hours to help firm them up. Then, remove the cakes from the tin.
  • For best results, use ingredients at room temperature and work with them in the order specified in the recipe. This can help prevent the cheesecakes from sinking in the middle as they cool. Also, be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to cracks. However, any cracks will be concealed once you add the topping. Additionally, avoid opening the oven while the cheesecakes are baking.
  • One large lemon typically yields about 2 to 3 tablespoons of juice. To maximize the amount of juice you get, roll the lemon on a countertop and squeeze it a bit before cutting it lengthwise. A handheld citrus press is one of the best tools for extracting juice, but you can also use a fork to scrape the juice from the lemon.
  • A cookie scoop can help you more accurately pour the batter into the muffin tin, resulting in less waste and easier cleanup.

Nutrition Notes

  • Raspberries are loaded with fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants that support heart and gut health. The nutrients in raspberries also promote healthy aging and reduce inflammation, so feel free to top your cheesecakes with a few extra!
  • Cream cheese is the basic ingredient in cheesecake that gives it that classic underlying tartness. Despite its name, cream cheese doesn't offer the same health benefits that cheese does. That said, you will get tiny amounts of several nutrients, including protein and vitamin A. And remember that, barring food allergies and sensitivities, all foods fit into a healthy, varied diet, so enjoy cream cheese now and then—including in desserts.
  • Graham crackers provide a flavor that only they can bring. While graham crackers were originally made with coarsely ground whole-wheat flour, today's versions typically have just a sprinkling of the whole grain in them. You will get a little bit of fiber and plant-based protein in graham crackers, though. Plus they're low in saturated fat.
overhead view of all ingredients on a countertop and in various bowls/dishes

Jason Donnelly

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs (from 12 graham cracker sheets)

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar plus 1 cup, divided

  • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature

  • 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 6 ounces fresh raspberries (about cups), roughly chopped, divided

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.

  2. Stir ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 tablespoon sugar together in a medium bowl. Press about 4 teaspoons of crumb mixture into the bottom of each of the prepared cups. Bake until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Let cool at room temperature, about 5 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.

    overhead view of graham cracker crust in muffin tin

    Jason Donnelly

  3. While the crusts cool, beat 16 ounces of cream cheese and the remaining 1 cup sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined, about 1 minute. Add 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating until just incorporated after each addition, about 30 seconds. Add 2 tablespoons lemon zest and 3 tablespoons juice, 2 teaspoons vanilla and ½ teaspoon salt; beat on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds. Fold in ¾ cup chopped raspberries until evenly distributed.

    overhead view of cheesecake batter in a bowl and a hand mixer

    Jason Donnelly

  4. Divide the batter evenly among the cooled crusts (heaping ¼ cup each) and top with the remaining chopped raspberries (about ½ cup). Bake at 300°F until the centers are slightly jiggly, about 25 minutes. Let cool to room temperature in the pan on a wire rack, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

    overhead view of cheesecake batter poured into several of the crusted muffin openings of the tin

    Jason Donnelly

To make ahead

Refrigerate for up to 1 day in the muffin tin covered with plastic wrap or an airtight container.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How should I use up a box of graham crackers?

    Of course, graham crackers are just the ticket for s'mores, but when crumbled they are an excellent topping for ice cream and yogurt. Try incorporating them in our Banana Cream Pie-Inspired Overnight Oats. They also work well as dippers for our Dark Chocolate Hummus. Additionally, you can use them as a base for various sandwich-inspired snacks such as peanut butter and jelly or cheese and tomato.

  • How should I store mini muffin cheesecakes?

    Store the cheesecakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should not be left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours, and on particularly warm days, it's best to keep them out for no more than 1 hour. When stored properly, cheesecakes will last about 4 days without absorbing any odors from the fridge.

  • Can I freeze them?

    You can, and they should be good that way for about 6 months! Freeze them in the muffin tin and transfer to a freezer-safe container when solid. When you want to enjoy them, thaw them in the refrigerator. 

  • What should I serve with Lemon-Raspberry Cheesecake?

    You could set out a bowl of extra raspberries along with other berries such as blackberries, blueberries and strawberries, accompanied by whipped topping. For beverages, these cheesecakes pair well with hot coffee and tea.

EatingWell.com, January 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

268 Calories
17g Fat
27g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Serving Size 1 cheesecake
Calories 268
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 22g
Added Sugars 18g 36%
Protein 4g 8%
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 74mg 25%
Vitamin A 530IU 11%
Vitamin C 7mg 8%
Vitamin D 7IU 2%
Vitamin E 1mg 4%
Folate 20mcg 5%
Vitamin K 3mcg 3%
Sodium 257mg 11%
Calcium 52mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%
Magnesium 11mg 3%
Potassium 101mg 2%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.