Don’t you just love tart cranberries this time of year? Cranberries are one of my favorite things to add to holiday recipes. I love the tartness of cranberry mixed with something a little sweeter like in these Cranberry Swirl Mini Cheesecakes. They are quite easy to make and only require a few basic ingredients. The individual servings are perfect for holiday gatherings. This makes the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas cheesecake.
Mini Cranberry Swirl Cheesecakes
Cranberry swirl cheesecake combines the rich, creamy flavor of classic cheesecake with the tart, slightly sweet taste of cranberries. The cranberry swirl brings a fruity brightness and tanginess that balances out the cheesecake’s smooth, dense texture. The cranberry swirl also adds a bit of holiday warmth due to hints of orange and spices like cinnamon included in the cranberry filling. The result is a sweet and tangy dessert with a nice blend of creaminess, a slight tart bite, and a festive hint of spice.
recipe yields 9 servings
Simple Ingredients:
- 1 cup prepared cranberry sauce (according to the instructions on a bag of fresh cranberries)
- 8oz softened cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (just mash up graham crackers in a bowl or Ziploc bag)
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 package cupcake wrappers
If you are making these after Thanksgiving, it is a perfect way to use the leftover cranberry sauce. For a fun variation, you can try a gingersnap crust.
How To Make Cranberry Cheesecake (Individual Sized In A Muffin Cup Tin)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs together.
Line a muffin tin with cupcake wrappers. I like to do a double layer to help prevent scorching.
Firmly press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each cupcake wrapper to create an easy and delicious buttery graham cracker crust.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar and cream cheese. Mix on high until well combined. Add the vanilla and continue mixing. Add the egg and mix until the cheesecake batter is smooth.
Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the cupcake wrappers on top of the graham cracker crust.
Spoon approximately 1/2 tbsp cranberry compote on top of the cream cheese filling.
Using the end of a butter knife, carefully swirl the cranberries into the cream cheese mixture. Make sure you do not go deep enough to disturb the graham cracker crust.
Bake the mini cheesecakes in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely before removing from the pan. Once the cheesecakes are cooled transfer them to the refrigerator and cool for an additional 1-2 hours.
When ready to serve, top with a bit more cranberry sauce or homemade whipped topping! You can leave them in the wrappers or carefully unwrap and serve on a small dessert plate. I hope you enjoy these cranberry swirl mini cheesecakes!
Printable Mini Cranberry Cheesecakes Recipe Card
Cranberry Swirl Mini Cheesecakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup prepared fresh cranberry sauce (according to the bag instructions is perfect)
- 8oz cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tbsp butter melted
- 1 package cupcake wrappers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs together.
- Line a muffin tin with cupcake wrappers. I like to do a double layer to help prevent scorching.
- Firmly press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each cupcake wrapper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar and cream cheese. Mix on high until well combined. Add the vanilla and continue mixing. Add the egg and mix until smooth.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the cupcake wrappers on top of the graham cracker crust.
- Spoon approximately 1/2 tbsp cranberry sauce on top of the cream cheese filling.
- Using the end of a butter knife, carefully swirl the cranberries into the cream cheese mixture. Make sure you do not go deep enough to disturb the graham cracker crust.
- Bake the mini cheesecakes in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool completely before removing from the pan. Once the cheesecakes are cooled transfer them to the refrigerator and cool for an additional 1-2 hours.
Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Swirl Mini Cheesecakes
Serves: 9
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 333.23 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 11.92 g | 16.9% | |
| Saturated Fat 6.12 g | 30% | |
| Trans Fat 0.08 g | ||
| Cholesterol 53.37 mg | 17.7% | |
| Sodium 413.66 mg | 17.2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 49.24 g | 16.3% | |
| Dietary Fiber 1.27 g | 4% | |
| Sugars 18.33 g | ||
| Protein 7.24 g | ||
| Vitamin A 12.59 % | Vitamin C 0.68 % | |
| Calcium 5.6 % | Iron 11.33 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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Conclusion
Mini Cranberry Cheesecakes are a delightful holiday season treat for a few great reasons:
- Perfect Portions: These mini cheesecakes are ideal for individual servings, making it easy for guests to enjoy without needing to slice and serve a larger cake. They’re also great for portion control if you’re aiming for a balanced holiday spread.
- Festive Flavor: Cranberries add a holiday flair with their bright, tart flavor and vibrant red color, which looks beautiful against the creamy cheesecake. Plus, cranberries are in season, making this dessert both timely and fresh.
- Easy to Serve: Mini cheesecakes are less messy than a whole cheesecake. They’re also easier to transport and can be stored in the fridge or even frozen ahead of time.
- A Crowd Pleaser: The combination of creamy cheesecake and a tangy cranberry swirl appeals to a wide range of tastes, from those who love something rich and decadent to those who prefer a bit of fruity tartness.
- Fun and Festive Presentation: You can decorate each mini cheesecake individually with a dollop of whipped cream, a few sugared cranberries, or a sprig of mint to make them feel extra special and holiday-ready.
These bite-sized treats bring all the flavor of a traditional cheesecake with a festive twist, making them a thoughtful addition to your holiday dessert lineup. Plus, these little baked cranberry cheesecake desserts are so easy to make!
More Cranberry Recipes:
White Chocolate Cranberry Biscotti
Monalisa Nanda says
Hi,
Thanks for this recipe. That cheesecake filling was so creamy and delish and that cranberry topping was so tart and sweet. Perfect!
Susie says
I love cheesecake recipes but I lost the bottom of the springform pan so I was glad I could make these in my muffin pan! They were so good!
Lucy says
These cranberry swirl mini cheesecakes look absolutely delicious and perfect for the holidays! The combination of creamy cheesecake with that tart cranberry swirl is genius. I can’t wait to try them—thanks for sharing such a beautiful and festive dessert idea!
JK Maxx says
This cranberry cheesecake recipe sounds absolutely delicious and perfect for the holiday season! I love the festive twist—can’t wait to try it!