Strawberry Key Lime Cheesecake Cups (No-Bake Shooters)

Refreshing and easy key lime strawberry cheesecake cups! This no bake dessert is the perfect individual dessert for parties, holidays, or summer gatherings.

What Are Cheesecake Cups?

Cheesecake cups are individual-sized servings of creamy, sweet cheesecake typically layered in small dessert glasses or cups. Unlike traditional baked cheesecakes, many versions—like the one we’re highlighting today—are no-bake, meaning they skip the oven entirely and rely on chilling to set the filling. This method makes cheesecake cups incredibly fast and easy to prepare, with a beautiful presentation that’s ideal for parties, potlucks, and holidays.

These cheesecake cups are Strawberry Key Lime flavored, which combines the refreshing tang of key lime zest with the sweetness of strawberries and a dreamy vanilla cheesecake base. Layered with a strawberry-graham crust and topped with whipped cream or frosting, these dessert shooters are perfect for entertaining, offering a refreshing burst of citrus and berry in every bite.

Whether you’re planning a brunch, bridal shower, or summer BBQ, these vibrant and flavorful cheesecake cups are sure to steal the show—and your guests won’t believe how easy they are to make.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesecake Cup Recipe

It’s the Perfect No-Bake Dessert
In the heat of summer—or anytime you’re looking to save oven space—this no-bake cheesecake cups recipe comes to the rescue. With no need to turn on the oven, you can whip up these delicious treats in just a few minutes and let your fridge do the rest.

The smooth, rich texture of the cream cheese base paired with the tart brightness of key lime and the sweetness of strawberries makes every bite refreshing yet indulgent. Plus, the added crunch from the graham and strawberry crust brings balance and contrast in the most satisfying way.

Eye-Catching and Ideal for Entertaining
These individual cheesecake cups are not only delicious—they’re gorgeous to look at. Served in clear dessert glasses, each layer is visible: the colorful crust, the creamy cheesecake filling, and the elegant toppings of fresh fruit and piped whipped cream or frosting.

Whether you’re serving them at a fancy dinner party or a casual backyard barbecue, these mini cheesecakes make a statement. Plus, they’re super portable and mess-free, making them perfect for grab-and-go dessert tables.

Ingredient List

For the Crust

• Graham crackers
• Dried strawberries
• Unsalted butter, melted

For the Cheesecake Filling

• Cream cheese, softened
• Granulated sugar or sweetener
• Vanilla yogurt
• Vanilla extract
• Fresh key lime zest

For the Topping

• Fresh strawberries, halved
• Key lime slices
• Whipped cream or vanilla frosting

How to Make Cheesecake Cups

Start by preparing your crust: take some graham crackers and dried strawberries, and crush them until they reach a fine, crumbly texture. Mix in just enough melted butter to moisten the graham cracker crumbs mixture and hold it together slightly when pressed. Spoon this into the bottoms of your dessert glasses or mini cups and gently press down to form an even layer of graham cracker crust.

Next, whip together your cream cheese base. Combine softened cream cheese with a sweetener of your choice, a splash of vanilla extract, a little vanilla yogurt for smoothness, and the freshly grated zest from a key lime. Beat everything together until the mixture is silky, creamy, and lump-free in a medium mixing bowl.

Transfer this cheesecake batter mixture into a piping bag fitted with a star tip (like a 1M) and pipe it over the crust in your glasses. You can either pipe neatly or swirl for a decorative look.

Top off each cheesecake cup with a bit more of the crumb mixture, a swirl of whipped cream or piped vanilla frosting, and finish with a halved fresh strawberry and a thin slice of key lime. Place the cups in the fridge and let them chill until firm and ready to serve.

Creative Variations for Cheesecake Cups

Flavor Twists
You can change the flavor profile of your cheesecake cups to match the season or your mood. Swap key lime zest for lemon or orange zest for a citrus twist, or mix in some cocoa powder, OREO cookies or melted chocolate to turn it into a chocolate-strawberry cheesecake version. Want a fruity punch? Try blending in pureed raspberries, blueberries, mixed fresh berries or mango to the cream cheese mixture before piping.

Presentation Styles
Instead of dessert glasses, try assembling your cheesecake cups in mini mason jars, wine glasses, or even small plastic shot glasses for quick party cleanup. You can also layer the ingredients in trifle style: crust, filling, fresh chopped fruits, and repeat until the cup is full. This layered approach works beautifully for visually impressive desserts.

Can Cheesecake Cups Be Stored or Made Ahead?

Absolutely! One of the best parts of this cheesecake cup recipe is how well it stores and holds up in the fridge.

Make-Ahead Friendly:
You can prepare the entire dessert a day in advance and refrigerate it. To keep the fruit garnish looking fresh, especially the strawberries, brush them lightly with simple syrup or wait until just before serving to add them.

Storage Tips:
These cheesecake cups need to stay chilled. Keep them in the refrigerator until serving and don’t allow them to sit at room temperature for long periods, as they contain dairy and are not shelf stable. Store them covered or in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing any fridge odors.

Shelf Life:
They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. After that, the texture may begin to soften too much and the toppings can wilt.

Common Questions About these Cheesecake Cups

Can you make cheesecake cups without baking?
Yes! This no-bake version is a great example. By using cream cheese, yogurt, and a bit of chilling time, you get the creamy, tangy texture of cheesecake without any oven time.

Can you freeze cheesecake cups?
You can, but it’s best to freeze them without the fruit toppings. Once thawed, the texture may change slightly, and the fruit can become watery. If freezing, thaw in the refrigerator and add fresh toppings before serving.

What kind of cream cheese should I use?
Always opt for full-fat cream cheese for the richest texture. It should be softened before mixing to avoid lumps. Avoid whipped or spreadable types as they contain more air and stabilizers, which can affect the consistency.

Can I make cheesecake cups gluten-free?
Yes! Just swap the graham crackers for a gluten-free version or use gluten-free cookies or wafers. Make sure all other ingredients (especially toppings) are certified gluten-free if serving someone with an allergy.

What can I use instead of a piping bag?
If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. This works perfectly for filling the cups and makes for easy cleanup.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of regular vanilla yogurt?
Definitely! Greek yogurt will add a slightly tangier flavor and a thicker texture. It’s a great choice if you want to reduce the sugar content a bit or increase the protein.

Final Thoughts

These Strawberry Key Lime Cheesecake Cups are a must-try treat that’s as easy to make as it is beautiful to serve. Whether you’re making them for a holiday gathering, summer picnic, or just to satisfy your cheesecake craving without turning on the oven, this no-bake recipe checks every box.

Remember to play around with flavors, try out new toppings, and most importantly—have fun making them. With just a few ingredients and a little bit of chill time, you’ll have a dessert that looks like it came from a fancy bakery but only took you minutes to create.

Make it. Share it. Love it. These cheesecake cups are the real deal.

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Looking for the perfect dessert glasses? These are the ones we used.

More No Bake Desserts to try:

• No Bake Holiday Desserts
• No Bake Trail Mix Cookies
• Black Forest Cherry Cheesecake Cups

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