Cheesecakes look impressive and taste satisfyingly indulgent but seem daunting to make. Our mini versions couldn’t be simpler, however, and the fact that they use keto-friendly ingredients like cream cheese and eggs makes them accessible to anyone on the diet. Our goal for this dessert was to find a grain-free flour crust to support our lemon-flavored cream cheese filling. We used almond flour to replace the traditional graham cracker crust, baking it briefly before filling it.
Lining the muffin tin with cupcake liners proved to be essential for getting the cheesecakes out of the muffin tin without breaking them in the process. (It also makes cleanup easier.) If you make these desserts a day ahead, note that the crust will have a much softer texture. The cheesecake cups are great on their own or sprinkled with a few fresh berries. This recipe can easily be doubled. You will need a 12-cup nonstick muffin tin for this recipe. Erythritol is our preferred low-carb sweetener here; however, you can substitute your favorite low-carb sweetener. Be aware that not all low-carb sweeteners can be substituted 1:1 for erythritol. See this page for more information on low-carb sweeteners and substitutions.
Jump to RecipeInstructions :
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Line middle 6 cups of 12-cup nonstick muffin tin with paper or foil liners.
- Stir almond flour, 2 teaspoons erythritol, and melted butter in bowl until combined. Divide almond mixture among prepared muffin cups and press into even layer using your fingers. Bake until crust is golden brown and set, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and let cool while making batter.
- Using stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat cream cheese and lemon zest on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, add remaining ⅓ cup erythritol and salt, and mix until incorporated, about 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add egg, vanilla, and lemon juice; increase speed to medium; and beat until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake until set, about 20 minutes. Let cheesecakes cool in muffin tin on wire rack for 30 minutes. Wrap muffin tin with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cheesecakes are chilled and firm, at least 1 hour. Serve.
Lemon Cheesecake Cups
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup 1⅓ ounces blanched, finely ground almond flour
- 2 teaspoons powdered erythritol plus ⅓ cup (1⅓ ounces), divided
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 teaspoons juice
- ⅛ teaspoon table salt
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Line middle 6 cups of 12-cup nonstick muffin tin with paper or foil liners.
- Stir almond flour, 2 teaspoons erythritol, and melted butter in bowl until combined. Divide almond mixture among prepared muffin cups and press into even layer using your fingers. Bake until crust is golden brown and set, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and let cool while making batter.
- Using stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat cream cheese and lemon zest on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, add remaining ⅓ cup erythritol and salt, and mix until incorporated, about 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add egg, vanilla, and lemon juice; increase speed to medium; and beat until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake until set, about 20 minutes. Let cheesecakes cool in muffin tin on wire rack for 30 minutes. Wrap muffin tin with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cheesecakes are chilled and firm, at least 1 hour. Serve.