Lightened Up Mini Cheesecake Cups

If you’re craving a sweet treat but want to keep it light, these Lightened Up Mini Cheesecake Cups are the perfect answer. These little desserts combine the creamy goodness of cheesecake with the crunch of pizzelle cookies, making them a delightful choice for anyone looking for a guilt-free indulgence. They are easy to make and even easier to enjoy!

Why Make This Recipe

This recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy cheesecake without the heavy calories. Using fat-free ingredients like Greek yogurt and cream cheese, we lighten up this classic dessert while still keeping all the flavor. Plus, they are fun to serve at parties or for a family gathering. These mini cheesecake cups look great and taste even better!

How to Make Lightened Up Mini Cheesecake Cups

Ingredients:

16 ready-made vanilla pizzelle cookies
1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt
8 oz. fat-free cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup fat-free whipped topping
1 tablespoon confetti sprinkles
16 maraschino cherries, patted dry

Directions:

Prepare Pizzelle Cookie Cups: Dampen two paper towels with water and place two pizzelles between them. Microwave for 30-45 seconds until hydrated. Press each pizzelle into a muffin tin cavity to form cups, holding for about 1 minute. Repeat until all are done.
Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In an electric mixer, beat together Greek yogurt, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Gently fold in whipped topping. Transfer mixture to a piping bag.
Assemble the Mini Cheesecake Cups: Pipe about 3 heaping tablespoons of the cheesecake mixture into each cookie cup. Top with confetti sprinkles and a maraschino cherry.
Serve: Enjoy immediately for the best texture.

How to Serve Lightened Up Mini Cheesecake Cups

Serve these mini cheesecake cups as a fun dessert for parties or as a lovely treat after dinner. They are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also chill them in the fridge for a cooler bite on warm days.

How to Store Lightened Up Mini Cheesecake Cups

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the cookies may become softer over time, so it’s best to serve them soon after making.

Tips to Make Lightened Up Mini Cheesecake Cups

Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This will help create a smooth filling.
For easier filling, use a piping bag. If you don’t have one, a plastic sandwich bag with a corner cut off works well too.
Feel free to customize the sprinkles or toppings to fit any celebration!

Variations

You can experiment with different flavors by adding a bit of cocoa powder or pure vanilla extract to the filling. You might also use different cookies or fruit toppings to give the mini cheesecake cups a unique twist.

FAQs

1. Can I make these in advance?

Yes! You can prepare the cheesecake filling ahead of time and assemble the cups just before serving for the best texture.

2. What can I use instead of pizzelle cookies?

If pizzelle cookies are hard to find, you can substitute them with mini graham cracker crusts or any other thin cookie that you enjoy.

3. Is it possible to make these without sugar?

You can use a sugar alternative like stevia or erythritol in place of confectioners’ sugar to make these even lighter.