These mini cheesecakes with vanilla wafers crust have a rich and creamy filling that is so easy to make! The best bite-sized dessert when you need a sweet treat.
Some of my other favorite mini desserts include mini fruit tarts, mini cheesecakes with graham cracker crust and mini cookies and cream cheesecake bites.
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Easy Mini Cheesecakes with Vanilla Wafer Crust
Bite-sized desserts are one of my favorites to make when entertaining or hosting a dinner party! They are so cute and perfect for guests to easily grab and enjoy. Some of my other favorite treats are chocolate truffles, Oreo balls and chocolate-covered strawberries.
For these mini cheesecakes with vanilla wafers, I used a classic cherry pie filling, but you use different toppings as well. Fresh berries are my favorite with my best recipe for cheesecake and cheesecake bars or add hot fudge sauce on top!
Mini Cheesecake Recipe Ingredients
This nilla wafer mini cheesecakes recipe is super easy and only requires 5 ingredients!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Vanilla wafer cookies: Vanilla wafers for the cheesecake crust taste amazing and there’s no extra work required!
- Cream cheese: Make sure it’s softened before using. If it’s too cold, the filling could be lumpy and not smooth.
- Eggs: Use two large eggs. Make sure they’re fresh.
- Sugar: This helps balance out the tang from the cream cheese.
- Vanilla: For an extra boost of flavor add a little extra vanilla.
- Optional: A few teaspoons of lemon juice or a pinch of fresh lemon zest.
How to Make Mini Cheesecakes with Vanilla Wafers
- Layer. Fill a muffin pan with cupcake liners and place 2 vanilla wafers at the bottom of each one. Alternatively, you can use a silicone muffin pan if you prefer no liners.
- Combine. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar.
- Creamy cheesecake filling. Then mix in eggs (one at a time), lemon juice (optional, see note below), and vanilla.
- Add batter. Divide cheesecake batter between 12 liners, filling each cup up to about 1/4 inch from the top.
- Bake cheesecake. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let them cool completely. You can also chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
- Cherry topping. Once chilled, add your favorite toppings before serving.
Mini Cheesecakes with Nilla Wafers Topping Ideas
When it comes to mini cheesecakes the topping ideas are almost endless!
- Cherry pie filling
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries
- Lemon curd with blueberries
- Apple pie filling
- Crushed cookies
- Caramel sauce
- Hot fudge or chocolate ganache
- Crushed candy bars
- Chocolate chips
- Chopped nuts
- Whipped cream
If you love fruit desserts, try blackberry cheesecake bars, this fruit and veggie platter, and this fresh fruit tart as well!
More Cheesecake Recipes
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Mini Cheesecakes with Vanilla Wafers
Video
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese , softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 24 Nilla Wafer Cookies
Optional toppings: Canned pie filling, fresh berries, whipped cream, chocolate or caramel sauce
Instructions
- Make cheesecake filling. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, beat 16 ounces cream cheese and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Then mix in 2 eggs (one at a time), lemon juice (optional, see note below), and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
- Add vanilla wafers to muffin pan then filling. Fill a standard muffin pan with cupcake liners and place 2 vanilla wafers at the bottom of each one. Alternatively you can use a silicone muffin pan if you prefer no liners. Divide batter between 12 liners, filling each cup up to about 1/4 inch from the top.
- Bake. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let them cool completely. You can also chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
- Chill. Once chilled, add your favorite toppings before serving.
Notes
- You can make a graham cracker crust and press about 1/4″ into the bottom of a silicone muffin pan. I would use 2/3 cup crushed graham crackers, 2 Tablespoons melted butter and 2 Tablespoons sugar.
- You could also use an OREO as the base and add crushed OREOS to the top like I do in these mini oreo cheesecakes.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
It is a little bit hard to know when your cheesecakes are done because they are a light golden color. To know when your mini cheesecakes are done, give the pan a little jiggle to know what is firm but also wiggles a bit.
Once the cheesecakes cool starts to contract during this time. As it is contracting and the edges are stuck to the pan crack form. Try not to overbake these treats. The center needs to be a little jiggly and the edges need to be apart to stop the cracks.
Yes! You could use a graham cracker crust or Oreo crust if you would like. Just press the graham cracker crumbs or Oreo crumbs into the base of the silicone muffin pan (or inside a liner), then add the filling on top.
These will last about 3 to 5 days if stored in the refrigerator. They never last that long in our house though…my family eats them right up. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container when storing them in the fridge.
Yes! I’d recommend wrapping each of your cheesecake bites in plastic wrap, then adding it to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll last in the freezer for about a month. When ready to eat, thaw at room temp for 5-10 minutes to soften before enjoying.
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Cake + Cupcakes, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Fruit Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Mini, Nut-Free, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Mini as in mini cupcake pan and liners? You used two vanilla mini wafers ? Why are you using two liners? One regular, one foil. Sorry to have questions, but you didn’t see clear on these items
I use a regular cupcake pan and regular vanilla wafers! The foil liners are just for looks! :)
YUM!
I love these mini cheesecakes!
Delicious and adorable – a good combination.
I made the mini cheesecakes just last weekend….they are delicious!!!! I was concerned how they were going to turn out because I used fat free cream cheese…still delicious!!!
Mmmm, those look yummy! I'm on dessert for mother's day so maybe give them a try…
tracey
You had me a cheesecake… I LOVE cheesceake!
Ohhhh…YUM! Those are so CuTe! OK…I want one of those now!! Thanks so much for linkin' up!! :)
WOW, what could be better?? Your own personal cheesecake!!!
I love cheesecake and This is such a cute idea! I will be making these for our Mother's Day BBQ Sunday and I'll be sure to mention you in my Mother's Day BBQ post!
Mmmmm, my mouth is watering…. I am a SUCKER for cheesecake!
What a FUN recipe!! This would be great for a little girls 'strawberry shortcake' party or even a shower of any kind!
I remember my mom making these when I was young and I've made them too and they are always a big hit. Thanks for sharing a great idea!
Yum yum! I will need this recipe in the future – I"m sure!
So yummy!!!! I love cheesecake!
These look yummy! I am visiting from Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Round-up! I am right below you!
Vicky
Oh I could sooooooo do with one of those sweet tasty treats right now!Stopping by on the Friday Follow!…:)Annette
You have a fantastic blog. I took one look at the cheesecake tarts and said to myself, This baby is going into my faves for sure.
I found you on FF and am new to this and also have a brand new blog at http://thriftycanucks.blogspot.com/
Please check it out and follow if you can.