Serve these Gluten-free Mini No-Bake Cranberry-Orange Cheesecake desserts in tiny glasses when you only want "a taste!"
Dreary winter days call for bright cheerful desserts like this Mini No-Bake Cranberry Orange Cheesecake. In the summer, I often make this Mason Jar No-Bake Cheesecake recipe with fresh berries to take camping or boating.
This week, I have cranberries on my mind. I love that combination of cranberries and oranges! I sometimes even have it for breakfast in this Cranberry Orange Breakfast Parfait.
This mini no-bake cheesecake dessert is simple and simply delicious.
First, crush some gluten-free cookie crumbs (or ground almonds), mix with a little coconut oil or butter and press into the bottom of small dessert glasses or 1/2 cup Mason jars.
Next, combine cream cheese with Greek yogurt and sweetener and beat until smooth. Add to the jar.
Coarsely chop cranberries and combine with a little orange juice and sweetener. Peel and segment oranges and then top the mini cheesecakes with the sweetened cranberries and fresh orange slices.
Finally, add a sprig of mint if you want, and serve!
Helpful tips for making No-Bake Cranberry Orange Cheesecake
- If you choose to use ground almonds as the base instead of cookie crumbs, add 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar along with the coconut oil or butter.
- Take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator and allow it to soften first. Firm cream cheese will make a lumpy cheesecake!
- Use a very thick Greek yogurt. You should be able to stand a spoon upright in it.
- Prepare the crumb base and the cheesecake filling ahead of time, even up to 3 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Add the fruit and mint leaf just before serving.
Easy, fun, delicious, and you can make it ahead of time. A win-win! Perfect for holiday entertaining.
Mini Cranberry Orange No-Bake Cheesecake
Ingredients
Base
- 1 1/3 cups cookie crumbs, gluten-free if necessary
- 2 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
No-Bake Cheesecake filling
- 8 oz brick low-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup firm Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup granulated sweetener like Monkfruit, Swerve or sugar
- fresh cranberries, orange segments for garnish
Cranberry Orange Topping
- 1/2 cup fresh or thawed cranberries coarsely chopped
- 1 tbsp orange juice or orange liqueur (like Triple Sec)
- 1 tbsp sweetener of your choice honey, maple syrup, sugar or 0-calorie sweetener
Instructions
- Melt butter or coconut oil. Grind cookies in a food processor or with a rolling pin. Combine with butter or oil. Divide among 10 small dessert cups or 4 oz Mason jars, pressing firmly into the bottom of the jar. (A shot glass works well for this job.)
- Beat cream cheese with firm Greek yogurt and sweeteners until well combined. Spoon into jars.
- Coarsely chop cranberries and combine with a tablespoon of orange juice or orange liqueur and sweetener. Peel and segment oranges and then top the mini cheesecakes with the sweetened cranberries and fresh orange slices.
- If not serving the same day, top with lids or plastic wrap, refrigerate and add fruit and mint leaf just before serving.
Nutrition
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Cathy says
This recipe has so many things going for it! What a perfect, simple dish to have mostly prepared ahead to serve to guests after dinner. It's pretty, tasty, and doesn't even require cooking! And of course, it's gluten free!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Cathy! I try to avoid rushing around at the last minute when we have friends over, so make-ahead desserts like this one work for me!
Lisa says
Oh wow, Elaine. Love that this is a no-bake treat that is easy to throw together! I may try this for Christmas dessert!
Flavour & Savour says
It’s perfect for Christmas dinner, Lisa. A mini dessert after a big meal is always welcome. Thanks for commenting!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
I'm all about the cheery, no-bake desserts this time of year! And serving them in individual glasses makes life so much easier! You don't have to fuss with plating dessert, you can just take them out of the fridge and serve!
Colleen says
These desserts are so great for this time of year. I love that you can make them ahead, and they look so bright and festive. And of course, cranberry and orange is the best holiday combo. Delicious!
Denise from Urbnspice says
Cheesecake always seems to be the common request when I ask what kind of dessert my family wants. And my favourite way to serve dessert is individual dainty servings. Your sweet mini Cranberry Orange Cheesecakes appeal to me on both levels. Those tiny glasses are adorable, too! Thanks so much for sharing, Elaine! Happy almost holidays!
Kristen says
What an awesome dessert for a holiday party. It’s so great to have things you can make ahead.