Here's another recipe I had fun doing for McCormick®. It's honestly been way tooo long since I have made a cheesecake. Who doesn't love cheesecake right? And don't you just love mini desserts?
I was honestly surprised how much I love the lemon flavor of McCormick® Pure Lemon Extract in these cheesecakes.
I not only used butter in sugar to sweeten the graham cracker crumbs for the cheesecake's crust, I added McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract.
After mixing the cream cheese mixture, fold in the blueberries and then use a cookie scoop to put the batter into the cupcake liners.
For your spring entertaining, I have some great tips for you. I'm all about easy entertaining and I have my friend Sandy to thank for it. Too many years, I overbooked myself, planned way too many dishes and overwhelmed myself. Make it easy on yourself and follow these easy entertaining tips:
- Plan your menu at least a week ahead of time.
- Choose a mix of easy and make-ahead time menu items.
- Put all of the ingredients you'll need for each dish into a grocery list, I love the Grocery IQ app (Curtis and I both have it on our phones and use the same account so our lists are always synced).
- Take stock of your staples: check out your McCormick® extracts and spices and use this time to throw out any expired items and restock. The last thing you want to do is have to run out to the store the day of your event.
- A day or two before your event, pull out the serving dishes and plates for each dish so you're not rushing around the day of.
- I usually use index cards or note on a list what menu item goes into which dish but I wanted to show you above how easily it can be laid out ahead of time.
- And my favorite entertaining tip of all, forget about always having to match your dinnerware, I love using different plates so the table is colorful
- If you don't have a lot of space, consider having a buffet for your event.
- Use splashes of colors in your plates or towels or napkins to make it bright and cheery for Spring.
- If a guest asks what they can bring something to contribute, assign them a non-essential menu item, drink or ask them to bring flowers for the table. Have a contingency plan in case they forget or bring something else
I love that these mini cheesecakes are so easy and quick to make. And the light lemon flavor and the blueberries go together very well. And these of course are going to be a part of our Spring entertaining this year!
Lemon-Blueberry Mini Cheesecakes Recipe
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 8 regular sized graham crackers
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
Cheesecake Filling
- 2 packages, 8 ounces each cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
- 2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Lemon Extract
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- Heat oven to 325°F. Crush graham crackers in a plastic zippered bag and a rolling pin. Pour graham cracker crumbs into a medium-sized mixing bowl and add melted butter. Mix thoroughly, then add sugar vanilla extract and mix again.
- Place cupcake liners in a muffin tin. Using a small spoon, add about two scoops of the graham cracker crumb mixture into each cupcake liner. Using your fingers, smash the crumbs down and along the sides of the cupcake liners. Bake for about 5 minutes. Allow to cool and set aside.
Assembly
- Add cream cheese and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese & sugar until fluffy and light. Add eggs and vanilla and lemon extracts, beat until thoroughly combined. Add blueberries, using a rubber spatula, fold the blueberries into the batter.
- Using a 3 Tablespoon cookie scoop, spoon cheesecake batter into cupcake liners. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from cupcake tin and allow to cool on a cooling rack for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove from cupcake liners before serving.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by McCormick® and I always share my honest opinions…and would only work with brands that I love.
Sue says
I tried this out. Did you use a mini muffin pan? I made 18 mini muffins sized cheesecakes from this quantity, I did a few modifications and used 2 very large eggs (I used 2 as they were huge and each had 2 yolks). I also didn’t fold the blueberries in but placed 3 in each cup and pushed them in and used a bit of grated lemon rind and lemon juice and omitted the extract. They were lovely and thank you for sharing
Rebecca Or. says
These are the best cheesecakes! I keep returning to this recipe everytime I want to make cheesecake. I have even used this recipe when I want to make different flavors and I just change up the added vanilla, lemon, and blueberries.
Marly says
I’m glad to see we agree on the mismatched tableware – it does make things so much more interesting…and is so much more affordable than running out for a new set of plates!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
I’m the worst hostess ever. I don’t think people mind though because there’s always yummy food. At least I hope they don’t mind. 🙂
These little cheesecakes are so cute! And with one of my very favorite flavor combinations. Lemon and blueberry just belong together.
[email protected] says
These look so good! Two of my favorite ingredients – lemon & blueberries! Definitely making these! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
Thanks for the entertaining tips Julie. They will definitely come in handy over the summer when I have friends over. And the cheesecakes, how adorable!
Thanks for sharing and thank you for the lovely comment left on my guest post (Meyer Lemon Tart) left on Sommer’s (A Spicy Perspective) blog
Mommypage says
Your lemon blueberry mini cheesecakes look delicious! I love that they are mini and bite sized. It looks so cute!
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs says
It’s wedding and baby shower season and these are the perfect treat to serve! Thanks for the yummy recipe!
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen says
These look so delicious! I love cheesecake and I love lemon and blueberry together, sounds like a perfect dessert!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen says
These are adorable! My husband loves blueberries, I will have to make these for him this weekend 😀
shelly (cookies and cups) says
Lemon and Blueberry are a favorite flavor combo! Love mini cheesecakes too..more crust to cheesecake ratio 🙂
Nikki @Seeded at the Table says
Great entertaining tips and lovely cheesecakes!! 🙂
katie says
Oh Julie these mini cheesecakes look divine! I agree–setting the table before the guest arrive always helps!
Monica says
Very nice entertaining tips – it’s all about the planning, isn’t it?! I love lists and I always set the table the day before. : ) These mini cheesecakes would look so nice laid out for a little gathering. I keep meaning to try making some and I need to soon…I love everything in miniature and I like that the recipe makes a very manageable dozen.
Cookin Canuck says
These little cheesecakes are perfect for spring! And I have to try that Grocery IQ app. My husband and I need that badly!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I love your tip for setting the table ahead. And these mini cheesecakes are adorable. Perfect spring flavors! 🙂
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
Great tips, Julie! These mini cheesecakes have my name all over them 🙂
Ella-Home Cooking Adventure says
These are so irresistible:) Love cheesecake, now I will have to try the mini ones too:)
Ella-Home Cooking Adventure says
These are so irresistible:) Love cheesecake, now I will have to try the min ones too:)
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
There’s no limit as to how many one might eat of these? good..just checking cause I could do some damage. I love cheesecake and lemon!!
Nutmeg Nanny says
These are too adorable! I love lemon desserts 🙂 I have to try this soon.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
There is absolutely no way you can go wrong serving mini cheesecakes! Love the cheesecakes and your entertaining tips!
Maria Tadic says
I love lemon! These look nice and little and light. The perfect spring time dessert! Can’t wait to try them! If you aren’t using lemon extract, how much lemon juice should you use in place of that?
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
What are the chances you left a dozen of these on my doorstep while you were in NYC? I’m keeping my fingers crossed…
Linda | The Urban Mrs says
Awww…love the mini size of cheesecake and it screams Spring, too. No sharing, please 🙂
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
What a tasty blend of sweet and tart!
Marcie@flavorthemoments says
The best cheesecake for me is a mini cheesecake! Yours look so delicious, and with lemon and blueberries, you know they’re bursting with flavor. These look fabulous!
Samantha @FerraroKitchen says
My husband just peekd over as I was reading your post and says….”mmmm” hahah
Carla @ Carlas Confections says
I love mini cheesecakes! They are so much fun to eat 😀 I am loving the lemon blueberry combo too. So fresh tasting! Really awesome tips too. I love the mismatched place settings. So smart and so much less stressful 😀
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
Not matching the plates is such a fun idea–and good for me, because I have so many random plates! These are perfect for spring and I love that you made them mini!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
I love that you put the lemon extract in there! Delicious!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
These are so pretty! I love lemon and blueberries together! Great tips too!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Mini cheesecakes are the best! They help with portion control, although I’m sure I’ll still eat them all!
Robin {Mom Foodie} says
I adore the combo of lemon & blueberry.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
These are the cutest cheesecakes! I love the lemon-blueberry combo!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
How cute are these?! Love them!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
These are gorgeous! I love the lemon and blueberry together. And your tips are great too! Thanks!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Love the entertaining tips! I always tend to over-stress myself. The mini cheesecakes are adorable! Love the addition of lemon extract!
Tasha @ ThatsSoYummy says
Loving the tips… These mini cheesecakes look delish and plus with mini desserts I don’t feel half as bad which kind of makes me want to eat more than one… 😉
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
Great entertaining tips. And those mini cheesecakes sound SO yummy! 🙂
Terri C says
What a lovely table! And I will make these cute cheesecakes!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
I love your entertaining tips! I totally agree, doing as much as you can before hosting a party is KEY! I also love the look of these cheesecakes. Mini anything makes me happy 🙂