Mini Lemon Meringue Cheesecakes a Bitesized Burst of Sunshine

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a taste of sunshine? Have you ever bit into something so good, it made you wanna do a little happy dance? Well, get ready! These mini lemon meringue cheesecakes are like a party in your mouth.

They're sweet, tangy, and utterly addictive!

Brief Overview

These delightful desserts have roots in classic American baking. This is similar to Lemon Meringue Tartlets . They are mini versions of a time honored favourite.

Don't worry, these little guys aren’t too tricky to make. Prep takes about 30 minutes. Baking requires another 20- 25 minutes and after chilling around an hour.

This recipe yields 12 perfect individual cheesecakes .

Main Benefits

These easy mini desserts are packed with flavour and are lower in carbs compared to many desserts. Their size makes them ideal for portion control.

These are perfect for a posh afternoon tea, or a casual get-together with friends. Honestly, the best part is how much everyone loves them.

These are not Lemon Meringue Cupcakes they are individual works of art that combine the best of cheesecake and meringue in one.

Ready to dive in? Let's talk ingredients! We're gonna need to create a Graham Cracker Crust Cheesecake . Here's what you'll need to get these bite sized desserts on the table:

Alright, let's talk ingredients and equipment. You know, the stuff that turns kitchen chaos into mini lemon meringue cheesecakes magic. Honestly, it's not as scary as it sounds.

Ingredients & Equipment for the Win

Main Ingredients Breakdown

Ok, so here’s the deal for our mini cheesecake recipe :

• Graham Cracker Crust: 1 ½ cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs. I go for the honey ones. Adds a little somethin' somethin'.

  • 5 tablespoons (70g) unsalted butter, melted. Quality butter is key! Don't skimp.
  • 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar

• Lemon Cheesecake Filling: 16 ounces (450g) cream cheese, softened. Room temperature is vital!. Seriously. Otherwise, lumps await.

  • ⅔ cup (135g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed. Fresh is best, my friend.
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Meringue: 3 large egg whites, room temperature. Again, room temperature . Trust me.

  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar.
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Seasoning Notes

This is where the magic happens, right? The lemon zest makes the whole lemon dessert ideas ! Think about a burst of sunshine.

Vanilla extract? Always a good call. It rounds everything out. If you don’t have cream of tartar, a tiny pinch of salt will do.

Equipment Needed

You really don't need fancy tools. Here’s the basic kit:

• 12-cup muffin tin. To make the Individual Cheesecakes .
• Paper cupcake liners (optional, but they make life easier).
• Mixing bowls. A few different sizes.
• Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer).
• Rubber spatula.
• Zester.
• Juicer.
• Kitchen torch (optional, for browning that beautiful meringue).
  • You can use the broiler too, just watch like a hawk! Browning meringue with kitchen torch to create a perfect lemon meringue tartlets .

Cooking Method: Baking Your Way to Mini Lemon Meringue Cheesecakes

Alright, so you wanna make these mini lemon meringue cheesecakes . I get it. Who wouldn't? It's basically sunshine in a bite.

Let's ditch the shop bought desserts and get cracking with this Mini Cheesecake Recipe .

Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place is Key

First, the essential mise en place . Honestly, this makes ALL the difference. Get everything measured out. Soften that cream cheese! (Seriously, don't skip this.

Lumpy cheesecake? No thanks.). Remember, the ingredients are the base for delicious Lemon Dessert Ideas . Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) for the crust and then 325° F ( 160° C) for the filling.

Bake Like a Boss: A step-by-step Guide

1. Crust Time: Mix your graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press this into the bottom of your muffin tin cups. Bake for 5- 7 minutes until golden. Let them cool, okay?
2. Cheesecake Magic: Beat that softened cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time. Then, heavy cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Easy peasy.
3. Fill 'Er Up: Pour your cheesecake mixture into those cooled crusts. Fill them pretty much to the top.
4. Bake Again! Bake for 18- 22 minutes . You want the edges set, but the center should still have a little wiggle. Don't overbake. You'll get cracks.
5. Chill Out: Let them cool in the tin, then chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour .

Pro Tips for Perfection: My Cheesecake Secrets

Firstly, don't overmix the cheesecake filling. Overmixing adds air and can cause cracks, so this is one of the common mistakes to avoid! Bake them in a water bath for a super smooth texture.

You can actually make the crusts a day ahead! This is one of my favourite make-ahead options and it will save you time the next day!.

And finally, remember the crust is key! Feel free to experiment - shortbread or digestive biscuits work wonders in place of graham crackers, to add a unique twist to your graham cracker crust cheesecake!

Honestly, these mini lemon meringue cheesecakes are so good, you'll want to eat the whole batch! This recipe makes 12 mini cheesecakes , perfect as Party Dessert Recipes .

If you want to try other smaller versions of desserts, Lemon Meringue Tartlets or Lemon Meringue Cupcakes are great alternatives.

Enjoy those little bites of sunshine!

Recipe Notes for Perfect Mini Lemon Meringue Cheesecakes

Right then, let's talk shop. These mini lemon meringue cheesecakes are pretty straightforward. But there are a few tricks to make them absolutely bangin' .

Honestly, I've made these so many times, I could probably do it in my sleep! And you know what? These are so much better than just plain Lemon Meringue Tartlets!

Serving Up Sunshine: Plating and Presentation

Fancy a bit of a showstopper? Arranging these individual cheesecakes on a tiered cake stand is always a winner. Think elegant garden party vibes.

A scattering of fresh raspberries or a dusting of icing sugar? Chef's kiss . Want to keep it casual? A simple plate does the trick.

As for drinks, I love a nice glass of Prosecco or even a refreshing Lemon Dessert Ideas like iced tea.

Storing These Little Beauties

Alright, so you've made a batch, but can't eat them all? No worries. Refrigeration guidelines say these will keep in the fridge for up to three days.

Just pop them in an airtight container. I wouldn't recommend freezing them. The meringue might get a bit sad and soggy.

Reheating isn't really an option either. They're best served cold, straight from the fridge.

Jazzing Things Up: Variations on a Theme

Feeling adventurous? A bit of lime zest in the lemon cheesecake filling gives it a lovely twist. You could also swirl in some raspberry jam before baking for a fruity surprise.

As for dietary adaptations , you can use gluten-free graham crackers for a gluten-free version. I tried it once. They were great, honestly.

Or, I’ve also use digestive biscuits or shortbread cookies can be used for the crust.

Nutrition Basics and Key Health Benefits

Okay, let's be real. These are dessert . But hey, a little treat never hurt anyone, right? Each mini lemon meringue cheesecake is roughly around 250-300 calories.

They've got some protein, some fat, and some carbs. But let's focus on the positives, shall we? Lemon provides vitamin C, and cheese provides Calcium, so a balanced dessert.

These party dessert recipes can be a small batch cheesecakes.

So there you have it! All the juicy details you need to make these Mini Cheesecake Recipe a success. Don’t be shy, give them a go.

And remember, even if they don't look perfect, they'll still taste amazing. You know? Enjoy!