My mom used to make these mini cherry cheesecakes every year around Christmas and New Year’s and they were my favorite! The creaminess of the cheesecake with the tart cherry filling and sweet Nilla Wafer crust is dessert perfection in my book. I’m pretty sure she got this recipe from our neighbor Kim decades ago when we were living in Omaha, Nebraska, and it’s been in our family ever since. This recipe for Cherry Cheesecake Tarts takes the classic cherry cheesecake flavor combination and presents it in an adorable, easy-to-serve format, perfect for any special occasion, a holiday gathering, or just as a delicious little tart to brighten your day. For more bite-sized cheesecake treats, check out my recipes for Mini Lemon Blueberry Cheesecakes, Easy Blueberry Cheesecake Bars, Easy Chocolate Cheesecake Truffles, Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies, Football Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Dip, and Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecakes!
Why We Love This Recipe
With just a few basic ingredients—cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla extract, Nilla wafers, and cherry pie filling—you can create a great dessert that looks and tastes as if it came from a gourmet bakery. Whether you’re a fan of blueberry, strawberry, salted caramel, or even lemon curd, the topping possibilities are endless, making this a versatile recipe you’ll be coming back to again and again. The recipe for these little tarts is incredibly forgiving, making it a great option for bakers of all skill levels. It doesn’t even matter that they sink and aren’t flat because they form the perfect little cups for holding toppings!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Nilla Wafers – These serve as the base of each tart, offering a crunchy texture and a sweet flavor that complements the creamy filling. Full-Fat Cream Cheese – The cornerstone of any cheesecake, full-fat cream cheese gives the filling its rich, creamy texture. For a lighter version, you could use reduced-fat cream cheese, but the texture and flavor of the tarts may be slightly altered. Granulated Sugar – This sweetens the cheesecake filling. If you prefer, you can adjust the amount slightly based on your taste preferences. Eggs – Eggs help to bind the filling together, giving it a smooth, custard-like texture once baked. Lemon Juice – The acidity of the lemon juice enhances the flavor of the cheesecake and adds a slight tartness that balances the sweetness of the filling and the cherry topping. Pure Vanilla Extract – Vanilla adds depth and warmth to the flavor profile of the cheesecake filling. Can of Cherry Pie Filling – This is used as the topping for each tart, providing a sweet and tangy contrast to the creamy filling. If you want to make your own cherry pie filling from scratch, then check out my Homemade Cherry Pie Filling recipe with Fresh Cherries!
How to Make Mini Cheesecakes with Sweet Cherries Topping
Tips for Success
Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smoother, lump-free filling. When combining your filling ingredients, use a handheld electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and sugar until well combined before adding the eggs. This helps incorporate air into the mixture, resulting in a lighter, creamier texture. Make sure each Nilla wafer is firmly placed at the bottom of the cupcake liner, flat-side down. This acts as the base of your tart, so it should be stable. Although it’s not common with this recipe, to prevent any potential sogginess, you can slightly pre-bake the wafers in the oven for about 5 minutes before adding the filling. This step can help crisp up the base. Cheesecakes continue to cook once removed from the oven. Bake until just set, and the center is slightly wobbly for the best texture. Allow the tarts to cool gradually at room temperature before moving them to the refrigerator. This helps prevent cracking and ensures a smooth top.
Substitutions and Variations
If Nilla Wafers are not available, any similar vanilla-flavored wafer can be substituted. For a graham cracker crust, combine ¾ cup finely crushed graham cracker crumbs (about 6 whole graham crackers put through a food processor), 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 3 Tablespoons melted butter. You could also use crushed Oreo Cookies instead of graham crackers! While the sweet and tart cherry layer is the classic topping, feel free to experiment with the pie filling of your choice, such as apple, strawberry, mixed berry, or blueberry pie filling. For a lighter version, substitute full-fat cream cheese with low-fat or neufchatel cheese. Add 1 teaspoon almond extract to the cheesecake mixture for a subtle nutty flavor that complements the cherry topping beautifully. Alternatively, zest a lemon or orange into the cheesecake batter for a citrusy zest.
More Creamy Cheesecake Recipes
Black Forest Cheesecake With Sweet & Sour Cherries No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe (+ 8 Simple Homemade Toppings!) Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Cheesecake Jars Best Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe Classic Cheesecake Recipe (No Water Bath!) Swirled Cranberry Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake
Cheesecake Jars
Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
Easy Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
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