Breakfast Cheesecake Cupcakes

Breakfast Cheesecake Cupcakes are an easy twist on a parfait to make for a delicious morning. Slightly sweet, floral, and fresh.

Breakfast Cheesecake Cupcakes

I know what you’re thinking… cheesecake cupcakes for breakfast?? She’s lost it.

I assure you, I haven’t! These cupcakes are basically a twist on the standard and often boring parfait. They are comprised of a crunchy granola crust, low-fat cream cheese and yogurt filling, and topped with fresh berries. There’s not much sugar, either. See, can have your cake and eat it (for breakfast) too! The idea for these babies actually came to me when Jared and I went to Sedona a few weeks ago. I had a breakfast parfait that had a fantastic cinnamon granola layer. Our breakfast view was of some beautiful red rock mountains and as I ate my parfait the idea to turn it into a cheesecake cupcake popped into my head. My most popular post, much to my continued surprise, is for Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Cupcakes. Sometimes I’ll think of fun twists on the cheesecake cupcake idea since you guys seem to love them so much. I think you’ll like this particular variation too – who wouldn’t want a breakfast cheesecake cupcake?!

Recipe Rundown
Taste: Slightly sweet, floral, and fresh, with a little kick of warmth from the cinnamon.
Texture: The granola crust is crunchy while the filling is thick and luscious. I love the burst of freshness from the berries on top.
Ease: Very easy. You make make these, pop them in a container in the fridge, and pull them out for breakfast throughout the week.
Appearance: I just love anything with fresh berries – they’re like little gems.
Pros: Easy twist on a parfait to make for a delicious breakfast. Plus I cut a lot of fat and sugar so you wouldn’t have to feel guilty for eating cupcakes for breakfast.
Cons: None.
Would I make this again? Yes!

How to make

Breakfast Cheesecake Cupcakes

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours hours

Total Time: 5 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Breakfast Cheesecake Cupcakes are an easy twist on a parfait to make for a delicious morning. Slightly sweet, floral, and fresh. 

Ingredients

Cinnamon Granola Crust:

• 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds, walnuts, or pecans, or a combination
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon honey

Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 ounces Neufchâtel cheese (1/3-less fat cream cheese), at room temperature
• 7 ounces low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• Blueberries, sliced strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries for topping

Directions

For the crust:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, combine all the crust ingredients. Divide the crust between the muffin cups, pressing down slightly to fill the bottom of each cup. Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

For the filling:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer or food processor, combine the cream cheese, yogurt, sugar, honey, vanilla, and zest until well combined. Add in the egg, egg white, and flour and beat or process until just combined. Do not overmix. Divide the batter between the muffin cups.
2. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the filling is firm at the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center. Place the muffin tin on a cooling rack and let cool completely before chilling in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. The cupcakes can be store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Top with fresh berries before serving.

Course : Breakfast

Cuisine : American

Recipe by Tessa Arias

Author: Tessa Arias

I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. I love to write about all things sweet, carb-y, and homemade. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!)