Mini Mason Jar Strawberry Cheesecakes
Mini Mason Jar Cheesecakes with a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy baked filling, fresh macerated strawberries, and whipped cream. The perfect make-ahead dessert
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 People
For the Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs from about 16 whole graham crackers, finely ground
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 8 tablespoons butter melted
For the Cheesecake
- 32 ounces full-fat cream cheese at room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar
- 4 eggs room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract I used ¼ teaspoon vanilla paste
- zest of 1 lemon
Topping:
- 2 pints of fresh strawberries hulled and quartered
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream whipped
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray twelve 8-ounce mason jars generously with nonstick cooking spray, making sure to coat the bottoms thoroughly.
In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the mixture is evenly moistened and holds together when pressed.
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the crust mixture into each jar and press firmly into the bottom to form an even, compact layer.
For the Cheesecake Filling
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar together on medium speed until completely smooth with no lumps, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until combined. Do not over-mix
Mix in the sour cream, vanilla, and lemon zest until fully incorporated and the batter is silky smooth
Divide the filling evenly among the prepared jars, filling each about halfway to leave room for the toppings, about ½ cup per jar.
Place the filled jars into a large roasting pan. Carefully pour hot water into the pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the jars. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers have just a slight jiggle.
Using tongs, carefully remove the jars from the water bath and place on a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
For the topping:
In a medium bowl, toss the quartered strawberries with the sugar and let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until a light syrup forms. Spoon the macerated strawberries and their syrup over the cooled cheesecakes. Refrigerate until fully chilled and ready to serve, at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.
Just before serving, top each jar with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese. Prevents lumps and ensures a smooth filling.
- Full-fat cream cheese. I highly recommend it for the best texture. However, you may use reduced fat for half of it if desired.
- Don’t overmix after adding eggs. This keeps the texture creamy, not dense.
- Bake in a water bath. The hot water helps prevent cracking and keeps the texture silky.
- Let the strawberries macerate. Sugar draws out juices and creates a natural syrup.
- Chill before serving. These set up best after a full cool + chill cycle.
Calories: 583kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 420mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 1602IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 1mg