Mini Margarita Cheesecakes

Are you tired of serving the same old desserts at your parties? Want to impress your guests with something unique and delicious? Look no further than these Mini Margarita Cheesecakes. With their adorable presentation, edible cactus garnish, and punch of margarita flavor, these treats will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Inspired by the ever-popular mini cheesecakes I made a few years ago, I decided to make these cute and delicious mini margarita cheesecakes! The cheesecake itself is out-of-this-world good, but my favorite part is the candy cactus that garnishes each mini cheesecake.

The base is a traditional graham cracker crust while the cheesecake is flavored like a margarita with a splash of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime. While the flavoring is very subtle, it gives the cheesecake a uniquely fresh quality. It’s the perfect little addition.

I think these would make an adorable dessert for a taco Tuesday gathering, Cinco de Mayo, a backyard barbecue, or even a festive birthday celebration.

It’s also worth noting that these are completely customizable. If the cactus doesn’t suit your style or event, you can create a unique shape that does!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• They are so delicious! From the creamy cheesecake filling to the tangy margarita flavor, every bite is a party in your mouth.
• What really sets these desserts apart is their adorable presentation in mini Mason jars. Baking the cheesecakes in these jars not only creates a unique visual appeal, but it also allows for easy portion control and serving.
• Also, can we talk about the adorable cacti garnish. It doesn’t get much cuter than that!
• They are also surprisingly easy to make. They do take some time, but this is a recipe even the most novice baker can handle.

Ingredients

To create these scrumptious mini margarita cheesecakes, you’ll need a few basic ingredients: 

• crushed graham crackers
• sugar
• butter 
• cream cheese
• sweetened condensed milk
• limes
• tequila
• orange liqueur
• eggs

You’ll also need a few things for presentation and decorations:

• 24 mini mason jars (4 ounce size)
• Colored candy melts
• small flower candies

How to Make

Let’s get into the recipe for these mini cheesecakes. I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

First, let’s talk about these mini cheesecakes. I think there is something special about single serving dishes. Giving each of your guests a miniature dessert is a surefire way to make them feel important.

1. In a medium bowl, combine crushed graham crackers, sugar, and butter.
2. Press two large tablespoonfuls into each mason jar. Use a clean cork (from a wine bottle) or something similar to press the mixture tightly into the jar. Set aside.

3. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
4. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Slowly pour in the condensed milk. Beat again. Add the lime zest, lime juice, tequila, and orange liqueur. Beat until smooth.
5. Finally, add the eggs and mix well.

6. Scoop the batter into the jars until about three-quarters full. (About 3 large tablespoons per jar.)
7. Place the jars into two 13×9″ baking pans. Twelve jars per pan. Then fill the pans with hot water. The water level will be about halfway up the jars. Bake for about 20 – 25 minutes or just before the cheesecakes begin to brown.
8. Carefully remove the pans from the oven. (The pans and the water will be very hot.) Using a towel or oven mitt, remove the jars from the water and allow them to cool completely.
9. To make the candy cacti, you’ll need about 1 cup of candy melts. Line your counter with waxed paper.

10. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the candy in 30-second intervals, stirring in-between, until melted.
11. Place the melted candy into a pastry bag (or plastic baggie). Snip of the corner off the baggie.

12. Pipe cactus shapes onto the waxed paper. Garnish with a candy flower before they set. Chill completely before removing them from the wax paper.
13. Finally, use the cacti to garnish your cooled mini cheesecakes. Just pop them on the top of your mini cheesecakes and they are ready to go. The cooled cheesecake holds them perfectly in place.

And with that, you’re mini margarita cheesecakes are complete! Let’s dig in.

Are they not the cutest things you’ve ever seen? Along with my mini piñatas, these might be the favorite thing about my Cinco de Mayo celebration.

They are really simple to make, too. Just melt colored candy melts (I used green, light blue mixed with green, and yellow mixed with green.) and pipe them onto wax paper. To add to their cuteness factor, I also made a couple edible sugar flowers. Bam!

Just pop them on the top of your mini cheesecakes and they are ready to go. Let’s dig in.

Recipe Variations

Now that you have the basic recipe down, it’s time to get creative with some variations.

• One option is to swap the graham cracker crust for a pretzel crust, adding a salty twist to the sweet and tangy flavors.
• You could also try using lemon or orange instead of lime for a different citrus flavor.
• If you want to switch up the garnish, consider using sliced strawberries, kiwi, or even edible flowers. You can also make a different shape if a cactus doesn’t suit your occasion.
• You could also try topping the cheesecakes with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for some extra sweetness. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative and make these mini margarita cheesecakes your own. Your guests will love trying out different flavor combinations and seeing what you come up with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these cheesecakes ahead of time?

Yes! These mini margarita cheesecakes can be made up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Just be sure to keep them covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.

Can I substitute regular cream cheese for the low-fat version?

Yes, you can certainly use regular cream cheese instead of the low-fat option. However, keep in mind that this will increase the overall calorie and fat content of the recipe.

Can I use a different type of alcohol besides tequila?

Absolutely! While tequila is the traditional choice for margaritas, you could try using vodka, rum, or even whiskey for a unique twist on the recipe. How about Pina colada or strawberry daiquiri cheesecakes? Yum!

Can I use a different type of crust besides graham crackers?

Yes, you can experiment with different types of crusts such as Oreo cookie crumbles or even a pretzel crust. Just be sure to adjust the measurements accordingly to ensure the crust holds together properly.

Can I make these cheesecakes in a regular-sized muffin tin?

Yes, you can certainly make these mini margarita cheesecakes in a regular-sized muffin tin. However, the baking time may need to be adjusted and the yield will be significantly lower.,

These Mini Margarita Cheesecakes are a crowd-pleasing dessert that will impress your guests. The unique combination of margarita and cheesecake flavors, along with the cute cacti garnish, make these mini treats stand out. Whether it’s for a dinner party or a casual get-together, these cheesecakes are easy to make and will surely be a hit among your guests.

More Mason Jar Recipes You Will Love

• Cake In a Jar
• Mason Jar Cherry Supreme
• Mason Jar Blueberry Pie
• Strawberry Rhubarb Mason Jar Cobbler 
• Mason Jar Mixed Berry Shortcakes

If you’re looking for a unique and totally adorable dessert idea, I hope you’ll give these mini margarita cheesecakes a try.  If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Mini Margarita Cheesecakes

These Mini Margarita Cheesecakes, baked in a mason jar with an edible cactus garnish, are as delicious as they are cute!

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cheesecake, margarita, mini dessert

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 24

Calories: 147kcal

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup butter melted
• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons lime zest
• 4 tablespoons lime juice
• 2-4 tablespoons Sauza® tequila
• 2 tablespoons orange liqueur
• 2 eggs
• 24 mason jars 4 ounce size
• Colored candy melts for garnish*

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine crushed graham crackers, sugar, and butter.
• Press two large tablespoonfuls into each mason jar. Use a clean cork (from a wine bottle) or something similar to press the mixture tightly into the jar. Set aside.
• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Slowly pour in the condensed milk. Beat again. Add the lime zest, lime juice, tequila, and orange liqueur. Beat until smooth.
• Finally, add the eggs and mix well.
• Scoop the batter into the jars until about three-quarters full. (About 3 large tablespoons per jar.)
• Place the jars into two 13×9″ baking pans. Twelve jars per pan. Then fill the pans with hot water. The water level will be about halfway up the jars. Bake for about 20 – 25 minutes or just before the cheesecakes begin to brown.
• Carefully remove the pans from the oven. (The pans and the water will be very hot.) Using a towel or oven mitt, remove the jars from the water and allow them to cool completely.

Notes

*To make the candy cacti, you’ll need about 1 cup of candy melts. Line your counter with waxed paper. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the candy in 30-second intervals, stirring in-between, until melted. Place the melted candy into a pastry bag (or plastic baggie). Snip of the corner off the baggie. Pipe cactus shapes onto the waxed paper. Garnish with a candy flower before they set. Chill completely before removing them from the wax paper. Use the cacti to garnish your cooled mini cheesecakes.

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 251IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 1mg