Let's Make the Mini Japanese Cotton Cheesecake

Wedesserts
by Wedesserts
10 servings
1 hr 10 min

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Mini Japanese Cotton Cheesecake is the perfect marriage of rich cheesecake and airy sponge cake. These bite-sized delights are incredibly light, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweetness. They gently jiggle when you take them out of the oven, adding a little magic to your baking experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is simple, fun, and rewarding. No fancy equipment needed—just a few key techniques to get that signature cotton-soft texture.

So, grab your whisk and let’s bake these little clouds of joy!

Looking for more delicious Japanese-inspired treats? Check out our our Japanese Cheesecake recipe here and the Vegan Matcha Cake

Mini Japanese cotton cheesecake
Why we love 💕Mini Japanese Cotton Cheesecake


  • This Mini Japanese cotton cheesecake seems to be perfect: it is light as a sponge cake and tangy as a cheesecake
  • The mini cheesecake is airy and jiggly – so fun for kids!
  • Served in colorful muffin cups, these mini delights are perfect for celebrations and as on-the-go sweet snacks!

Find more about the history of Japanese Cotton Cheesecake here


💡Fun Fact


The Japanese Cotton Cheesecake is also known as Japanese Souffle Cheesecake and as Jiggly Cheesecake


👩‍🍳What ingredients you need to make this recipe


  • 🧀 Cream cheese
  • 🥛 Milk
  • 🍚 Sugar
  • 🌾 All-purpose flour
  • 🥚 Egg yolks and egg whites
  • 🍋 Lemon juice


💡Don’t forget!


Make sure that the cream cheese is at room temperature


🕐How to make the Mini Japanese Cotton Cheesecake
Separate the egg yolks from the egg white
In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese with the sugar
Whisk until well combined. Add in the egg yolks and combine well
Add in the flour and continue to whisk gently
Add the milk and the lemon juice and combine
In another bowl, prepare the meringue with a hand mixer by beating the egg whites with the sugar until soft peaks
Fold meringue into the cream cheese mixture gently
Pour batter into the muffin cups. Place them on a tray, and fill it with water to bake them in a water bath
Freshly baked mini Japanese cotton cheesecake

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FAQs about the Mini Japanese Cotton Cheesecake


Is the Mini Japanese Cotton Cheesecake recipe easy to make?


We believe that the Japanese cheesecake is more challenging and requires more constant attention than the traditional cheesecake. You need to be very careful when you make the meringue and during baking.


Do you want to make another Cheesecake? Try the Basque Cheesecake recipe here


Can you make this recipe vegan?


Yes, you could. For the vegan version you can replace cream cheese and milk with plant-based cream cheese & milk, 1:1. Eggs could be replaced by egg alternative or with Aquafaba Meringue. However, as egg white is one of the most important ingredients for meringue, I think that the signature fluffiness cannot be achieved without it. I don’t think that a plant-based egg works the same as the meringue made by real eggs


How can you serve these mini Cotton Cheesecake cups?


You can serve them simply with a dusting of powdered sugar. You can also serve with a layer of apricot jam on top. Or with meringue and fresh berries to impress!


Is there another way to bake the mini Cheesecake?


You need to bake it in a water bath. We used silicon muffin cups for this recipe, but you can use ramekins if you prefer


How can you store this Cheesecake?


Store these mini Japanese cheesecakes as any other type of cheesecake. They mini cheesecakes can stay in the fridge for up to 3 days, ideally in an airtight container to prevent them from drying up.


Can you freeze the Mini Japanese Cotton Cheesecake?


Freezing this cheesecake is not a good idea. As it has an airy texture, will not thaw well.


📖 RECIPE CARD
Let's Make the Mini Japanese Cotton Cheesecake
Recipe details
  • 10  servings
  • Prep time: 1 Hours Cook time: 10 Minutes Total time: 1 hr 10 min
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Ingredients

  • ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese
  • ▢ 2 egg yolks
  • ▢ 1/3 cup whole milk
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ▢ 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For the meringue
  • ▢ 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ▢ 2 egg whites
Instructions

Start by sifting the flour in a mixing bowl
Preheat the oven to 360 degrees ℉. Add silicon muffin cups to the muffin tray
Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites
In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese with granulated sugar
Whisk until well combined. Add in the egg yolks and continue whisking until all ingredients are blended
Add the flour in the mixture and fold gently
Add the milk and lemon juice. Whisk to blend all ingredients together
In another bowl, prepare the meringue. With a hand mixer, beat egg whites with granulated sugar until the meringue form soft peaks
Fold meringue into the cream cheese mixture gently
Pour mixture into the silicon muffin cups. Place muffin tray into a baking pan
Add hot water into the baking pan to bake muffin tray in a water bath
Bake at 360℉ for 10 minutes, lower oven temperature to 300℉ and bake it another 10 minutes or until the top is golden brown
Turn off the oven. Let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour with oven door slightly ajar
Remove cheesecake and let cool to room temperature. Chill the mini cotton cheesecake for at least 2 hours before serving
Serve with your favorite toppings!
Tips
  • You can make the meringue with a whisk but it will be a slow process
  • Serve with apricot jam topping or whipped cream and berries
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