By: Denise Bustard36 Comments
Posted: 10/19/14Updated: 12/17/20
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Leftover cranberry sauce mini cheesecakes make the most of any leftover cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Swirled into the batter and served with a dollop on top!
So you may have witnessed my cranberry sauce rant in my Raspberry Balsamic Cranberry Sauce post. If not, here's the summary: I am a total, crazy, cranberry sauce nut.
Well this year, I went a bit overboard...I made a double batch of cranberry sauce, and ended up with probably a liter of sauce for 8 people...and there were leftovers...oh so many leftovers!
And looking at the leftover cranberry sauce, and a few blocks of cream cheese that just happened to be hanging out in my fridge, this mini cheesecake recipe was spontaneously born.
Reasons you'll ♡ this leftover cranberry sauce mini cheesecake recipe
- it's the perfect way to use up any leftover cranberry sauce
- it's tart and sweet (but not too sweet)
- they are pretty and are great for a party
Whenever I make cheesecakes of any kind, I think of my friend Alison, whose parents threw a cheesecake party every year when I was growing up. Every guest brought a cheesecake, and there was a lot of sampling, then voting for the best cheesecake. One year my mom won a mushroom scrubber. Let's just say you don't win for the prize, you win for the glory 😉
Every single time I attended this cheesecake party, I would end up eating SO much cheesecake, a sliver of this one, a bite of that one, and before I knew it, I ended up overly stuffed and uncomfortable, and wondering why did I do this to myself? And vowing that I would never eat another slice of cheesecake again.
But how could I stay away? Not possible. It's cheesecake.
This mini cheesecakerecipe isthe absolute perfect portion size. You get a good dose of cheesecake, and you won't have that over-full regretful feeling. {Cheesecake hangover?}
These little guys are actually incredibly easy to make, using muffin papers and a muffin tray. They come together in a matter of minutes and bake up in 20 or so.
Like all cheesecakes, you do need to let them set up in the fridge for a few hours...that is the hardest part about cheesecakes, am I right? The waiting.
Well...they are definitely worth the wait. Creamy cheesecake swirled with cranberry sauce, and don't forget to dollop some more on top! This mini cheesecake recipe was the perfect way to put a dent in my leftover cranberry sauce.
Tips & equipment for cranberry sauce cheesecake
- I love this muffin pan and these parchment muffin liners
- You'll need an electric hand mixer
- Looking for more mini cheesecake recipes? Check out these Mini Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecakes with a Pretzel Crust, these Greek Yogurt Key Lime Cheesecakes, or these Brown Butter Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Blondies
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Mini Cheesecake Recipe
4.50 from 8 votesPrep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 35 minutes mins
Print Rate
Leftover cranberry sauce mini cheesecakes make the most of any leftover cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Swirled into the batter and served with a dollop on top!
7
Ingredients
Crust:
- ½ cup graham cracker crumbs (56 g)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted; 28g)
Cheesecake:
- 8 oz cream cheese (at room temperature {light or regular})
- ¼ cup sugar (50 g)
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 7 tablespoons cranberry sauce
Topping:
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Line a standard-sized muffin pan with 7 large muffin liners.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the graham cracker crumbs and sugar, until mixture is crumbly. Divide evenly amongst lined muffin tray {should be 1 or so tbsp per cheesecake}. Press gently with your fingers to flatten.
In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Scrape the sides of the bowl several times. Mix in the egg and the vanilla. Spoon over the crust until muffin papers are ¾ full.
Add one tbsp of cranberry sauce over tops of cheesecakes. Swirl gently with a knife.
Bake for 20 minutes. Centers may still jiggle slightly. Cool completely in muffin pan, then transfer to a resealable container and cool for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
To serve, top with an additional 1-2 tbsp cranberry sauce.
Tips:
Any cranberry sauce recipe may be used.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1cheesecake, Calories: 292kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 68mg, Sodium: 197mg, Potassium: 74mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 32g, Vitamin A: 586IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 42mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Denise Bustard
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Meet Denise Bustard
Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.
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Reader Interactions
Leave a Comment
Susan Casey says
I love cranberry sauce..Thanks for the great idea.I was actually looking to see who else uses cranberry sauce on cheesecake..
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Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Susan, we hope you enjoy if you make this recipe! Please report back to let us know how it turns out if you do make it 🙂
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Terri says
Ever tried making these in the mini-muffin ‘tis?
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Denise says
Hi Terri! I haven't tried it. Hopefully if someone else has they will chime in 🙂
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Eve says
Second time making this recipe this holiday season. I put the recipe into MyFitnessPal and they're surprisingly low carb/some protein for a dessert, so I love having these in our freezer. We've been popping mini m&Ms or the holiday peppermint bark in a couple of them instead of cranberries 🙂Reply
Denise says
I love that idea! I might have to make some more. Thanks so much for your review, Eve!
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Jackie says
My mom makes something similar and always puts a vanilla waffer cookie on the bottom to save time and ensure it pops out of the wrapper intact! So good! Mini anything is a great way to ensure desserts get eaten!
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Denise says
Oh I love that! Thanks for the tip Jackie!
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Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
Yes, yes, yes! Mini cheesecakes are the best. I can eat several and not feel guilty. 😉 This is perfect for a Thanksgiving dessert!
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Isadora @ she likes food says
What an awesome way to use up your cranberry sauce! I will never say no to cheesecake and I love the tartness of the cranberries! I usually make a pumpkin cheesecake for the holidays, but I'm thinking this might be my new favorite dessert 🙂 Beautiful pictures, Denise!!
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Denise says
I know, right? I would consider throwing one now, but I am honestly afraid of the calories I'd consume! Thanks, Lissa!
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Denise says
Thanks, Arpita!
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Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
I agree about eating too much cheesecake whenever cheesecake is around - you just can't stop yourself. These are perfect though - the perfect size so you don't go crazy - well…maybe at least 2 :). Looking forward to making these - so cute! Thanks, Denise.
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Denise says
Ugh, it's just too tempting, isn't it? I always want just 'one more sliver'! Thanks, Geraldine 🙂
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Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I have never made mini cheesecakes before or even tried a cranberry cheesecake so this recipe is a must for me to make. I can definitely see myself recreating it soon and throughout the hot Christmas season here in Australia, thanks for the great idea Denise!
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Denise says
This was my first mini cheesecake recipe, and it was surprisingly easy! I feel for you Aussies having to cook up a feast in the sweltering heat at Christmas! Thanks, Thalia 🙂
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Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
These are gorgeous and so fall-perfect!! We always have tons of leftover cranberry sauce-- this is the perfect use for it!!
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Denise says
Glad I'm not the only one who overestimates the cranberry sauce...better to have too much than too little, right? 😉
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katie says
I'm in love with these little guys! Cheesecake is my all time favorite dessert, a cheesecake party sounds amazing! What a great and yummy idea 🙂Reply
Denise says
Thanks, Katie! I would totally consider throwing a cheesecake party these days, but I really want to be able to button my jeans up 😉
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Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
Yep. I know what I'm doing with my leftover cranberry sauce come Thanksgiving! These cheesecakes are totally adorable, Denise!
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Denise says
Thanks, Sarah!
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Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
I must admit you are making me crave cranberry sauce. These cheesecakes are so perfect, a great contract of flavors, sweet and savory. Pinned.Reply
Denise says
I am a little too obsessed with the cranberry sauce these days, aren't I? Must seem very early to you Americans 🙂
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Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Ooh I love this festive fall twist! Yum 🙂
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Denise says
Thanks, Medha!
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
These mini cheesecakes look gorgeous, Denise! For some reason, I never thinking of baking with cranberries, yet I love it! Such a great way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers!
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Denise says
Thanks, Gayle! I love cranberries in my co*cktails, my sauce, and my baking, apparently 😀
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Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Cheesecake has got to be my favourite dessert, but I must admit I'm often put off ordering it in restaurant because of the calories. Soooo ... I'm totally on board with this idea of mini cranberry cheesecakes.
On the other hand, I do love the idea of that cheesecake party ... I don't think I'd give the calories a second thought - especially if I was in with the chance of winning a mushroom scrubber 😉Reply
Denise says
Yes...me too...love cheesecake but hate cheesecake calories. And I heard that the calories don't count at a cheesecake party 😉 Thanks, Helen!
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Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
Okay, I seriously love the idea of a cheesecake party (how fun of an idea is that!?) and love these adorable, portion-sized cranberry sauce mini cheesecakes! They look fantastic and love that you put the rest of your cranberry sauce to good use 🙂
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Denise says
It was a pretty brilliant party idea...if only I still had the same metabolism as when I was 16 😉 Thanks, Ceara!
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Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
These are seriously the cutest things ever!! Perfect for Thanksgiving!
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Denise says
Thanks, Jocelyn!
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Momma baker says
That cheesecake sounds delicious !! And I agree waiting for them to cool is the hardest part!
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Denise says
Thanks Momma baker! Cheesecakes would be absolutely perfect if it weren't for that pesky setting up step 🙂
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