Description
Orange creamsicle mini cheesecakes blend creamy texture with zesty citrus notes in adorable individual portions. Small desserts deliver big flavor, perfect for summer gatherings or personal indulgence when shared with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (454 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 12 Oreo cookies
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) orange extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 to 3 drops of orange gel food coloring
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Orange slices (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Foundation: Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners and nestle a whole Oreo cookie at the bottom of each, creating a robust base.
- Cream Mixture: Whisk cream cheese and powdered sugar until velvety smooth, eliminating any potential lumps in the texture.
- Whipped Cream: Aerate heavy cream until soft peaks develop, then fold in orange extract, continuing to whip until stiff peaks form with a vibrant consistency.
- Filling Integration: Gently merge the cream cheese and whipped cream mixtures, preserving the delicate airiness of the whipped cream through careful folding.
- Color Development: Divide the cheesecake mixture, transforming half with orange zest and a few drops of gel food coloring to create a citrusy variation.
- Layering Technique: Distribute the white cheesecake mixture into the Oreo-lined cups, then artfully top with the orange-infused layer, using a toothpick to create mesmerizing marbled swirls.
- Chilling Process: Refrigerate the mini cheesecakes for 3-4 hours or preferably overnight, allowing them to set and develop a rich, decadent texture.
- Final Flourish: Before serving, crown each mini cheesecake with a delicate swirl of whipped cream and an optional orange slice for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Oreo Base Tip: Select classic Oreo cookies for a consistent, crisp foundation that adds delightful chocolate undertones to the cheesecake.
- Cream Cheese Technique: Ensure cream cheese is completely softened at room temperature to prevent lumps and achieve a smoother, more uniform mixture.
- Whipping Precision: Whip heavy cream carefully to avoid over-beating, which can cause butter-like separation and compromise the light, airy texture.
- Chilling Strategy: Allow mini cheesecakes to set overnight for optimal flavor development and a perfectly firm, creamy consistency that easily releases from the liner.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 226
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 164 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 56 mg