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Mar 25, 2019

Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes

These Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes with Chocolate Cookie Crusts are creamy and citrusy, and are perfect for a spring party dessert buffet table. 


This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes #keylimes #cheesecake #minicheesecake

These key lime cheesecakes are both sweet and slightly tart, kind of like a margarita. They are also super cute!
I love tiny desserts! Everyone usually says "yes" to dessert when they see how little they are. They are just the right amount of sweetness after a meal. 

If you like tiny cheesecakes as much as I do, be sure to check out these Peaches and Cream Mini Cheesecakes, these Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes, and these Mini Cheesecakes with Salted Caramel. All are delicious. 

Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes topped with key lime curd #keylimes #cheesecake #minicheesecake

I loved the texture and creaminess of these mini desserts and so did my taste testers. Everyone adored these cheesecakes! 

How to Make Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes


First, you will need to make and bake a cookie crust in the cavities of a mini cheesecake pan with removable bottoms. I processed some Oreo cookies with some melted butter, but you can use a Graham cracker crust if you prefer.

Once you've baked and cooled the crusts, make the cheesecake mixture. You beat together cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, and salt and then add two eggs. Finish the mixture by beating in heavy cream, vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice.

Fill the cavities of the mini cheesecake pan with the cheesecake mixture, in this case, pretty much almost all the way to the top, and then bake in 275 degree oven.

I topped these with a little dollop of homemade key lime curd (stay tuned for the recipe in the near future). You can skip making the curd and top these with a little whipped cream or store bought lemon or lime curd. They are also pretty wonderful plain!

Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes topped with key lime curd and a lime slice #keylimes #cheesecake #minicheesecake


You will need a little patience at this point because you're going to have to wait until the cheesecakes cool and then you will have to wait even longer in order to chill them for two hours in the refrigerator before un-molding and serving.

I love that you don't have to bake these in a water bath like full-sized cheesecakes.

Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes topped with key lime curd and a lime slice and chocolate crust #keylimes #cheesecake #minicheesecake

Thank you to Dixie Crystals for providing the granulated sugar for these mini cheesecakes. Since 1917, the company has produced high-quality pure cane sugars. I've tried their granulated, powdered, and brown sugars, and have been super happy with them.

Key lime cheesecakes with Dixie Crystals


Welcome to #SpringSweetsWeek 2019 hosted by Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures! What better way to celebrate the coming of Spring than with food and a fun giveaway!

30 bloggers from around the country have come together to share over 100 sweet recipes perfect for Spring!  Get ready to ditch your hats, coats, and snow boots and get ready for some delicious sweet treats like cupcakes, cookies, sweet breads, and cocktails! Our #SpringSweetsWeek sponsors are helping us give away some great prizes.

Thank you so much Swiss DiamondDixie CrystalsNancy’s YogurtSprinkle PopAdams ExtractsBarleansMelissa’s Produce, and PEEPS® for your generosity. We have an incredible giveaway below and would love if you would take a moment to read about it and what you can win!

Check out the amazing prizes you can win in our #SpringSweetsWeek Giveaway! The entry form is just after the recipe. 




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Monday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes



cheesecake, key limes, mini cheesecakes
dessert, cheesecake
American
Yield: 12 servings

Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes Recipe

ingredients

For the Crust
  • 10 Oreo cookies
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
For the Cheesecakes
  • 12 ounces full fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons key lime zest
  • 2 tablespoons Key lime juice (from about 4 Key limes)
For the Optional Toppings
  • 1/2 cup lime curd (you can substitute lemon curd)
  • 12 thin half-slices of key limes

instructions

  1. Mist a nonstick mini cheesecake pan with spray oil
  2. Process the Oreos in a food processor until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until the crumbs are quoted. 
  3. Divide the mixture among the cavities of the mini cheesecake pan (about 2 teaspoons per cavity), and press down with the back of a spoon. 
  4. Heat the oven to 275 degrees F. 
  5. In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, and salt on medium-low speed until smooth. 
  6. Add one egg and mix on the lowest speed until combined. Add the second egg and mix on low until combined. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl. 
  7. Add the heavy cream, vanilla, zest, and lime juice and mix on the lowest speed until just combined. 
  8. Divide the batter among the cavities of the pan. The batter reached almost to the top of each cavity. 
  9. Bake the cheesecakes for 22 to 28 minutes (I cooked mine for 24 minutes) until they are just set. 
  10. Cool completely in the pan at room temperature and then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before unmolding. 
  11. Garnish with a heaping teaspoon of curd and a slice of lime before serving. 
Created using The Recipes Generator
This recipe was adapted from Baking a Moment

Thank you #SpringSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Swiss Diamond, Nancy’s Yogurt, Barlean’s, Sprinkle Pop, PEEPS, Melissa’s Produce, and Adams Extracts for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The #SpringSweetsWeek giveaway is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Eight (8) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #SpringSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #SpringSweetsWeek posts or entry.

Would you like to comment?

  1. Love individual desserts like this, especially for holidays when you have an assortment of desserts for your guests.

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  2. Individual desserts are the best, and key lime cheesecake is amazing

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  3. So decadent! I absolutely love anything key lime. I'm definitely going to have to try making these.

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  4. I need to re-gain my composure, this one really took my breath away!

    Karen, this is EXACTLY the type of dessert I love these days.... elegant, small, tasty, GORGEOUS!

    fantastic job!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sally. I love your descriptors! I wished I'd used them in this post.

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    2. you know, the editor is your friend... ;-) we all need some good adjectives in our life...

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  5. Citrus desserts....lemon cheesecake....

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  6. Oh my goodness they are so cute and dainty. I love small desserts, it makes me feel like I'm not eating too much while still indulging.

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  7. What a perfect flavor combo! great recipe!

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  8. I love key limes and these mini cheesecakes sound delish!

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  9. What absolutely gorgeous little cheesecakes. Would it be too much to ask to move into your kitchen and be your full time taster and food ogler?

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  10. Mini things always catch my eye! These look so creamy and delicious!

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  11. What???? A whole (mini) cheesecake just for me??? I cannot wait to try these!

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  12. These, as always, are stunning, Karen. And I'll bet they taste delicious, too.

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  13. I love key lime cheesecake, pie, everything! That sweet tart flavor is so good! I can't wait until they're in season here.

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  14. I always have room for a mini dessert, even after a big meal. These are just the perfect size. And I love the chocolate crust with the key lime filling!

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  15. I love cheesecake, and the bite-sized portions are just right! I love that you added an Oreo crust - how yummy!

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    Replies
    1. Who knew chocolate and lime would be so tasty.

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  16. So happy that key limes are finally available up here! Mini desserts are the best, and I love that you combined lime with chocolate.

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  17. I love key lime desserts, and I really love that you went with a chocolate crust!!

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  18. Your cheesecakes are perfect! Key lime, oreos oh boy Karen I am so in!

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  19. Key lime is one of my all time favorites. These mini cheesecakes look like the perfect sweet bite!

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  20. These are beautiful and the perfect serving size. I love that you used a chocolate cookie crust too, yum.

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  21. HA! I thought you were going to pick this post as your favorite for the month of March.. I guessed it right!!!!

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    Replies
    1. How could I not? Right? You know me so well.

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  22. I'm not sure what I'm more excited about - the key lime cheesecake or the chocolate cookie crust. What a great flavor combo!

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    Replies
    1. It's a surprisingly delish combo! Thanks!

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  23. The mini cheesecakes are so cute. Mini desserts are my favorites when serving guests. They always have room for one but usually take two. :D

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  24. Thanks so much for sharing these over at First Monday Favorites. I'm always a big fan of anything mini. And mini cheesecakes are perfect, especially Key Lime ones here in Florida.

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  25. These little cheese cakes look so tasty! I love the chocolate with the key lime!

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