Description
Festive mini Christmas cheesecakes bring holiday cheer with creamy layers of rich goodness nestled in delicate graham cracker crusts. Delightful dessert perfection awaits you with each bite of these irresistible seasonal treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs or digestive biscuit crumbs
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) granulated sugar
Filling Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup (67 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for a festive touch)
Topping Ingredients:
- Whipped cream or cream cheese frosting
- Holiday sprinkles
- Crushed candy canes
- Mini edible ornaments
Instructions
- Craft the foundation by combining graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter until the mixture resembles moist, compact terrain. Gently press this mixture into each cupcake liner within a muffin tin, creating a solid base. Toast the crust briefly in a preheated 325F oven to enhance its structural integrity.
- Transform cream cheese into a silky canvas by whipping it with sugar until achieving a luxurious, cloud-like consistency. Introduce eggs and aromatic extracts, gently folding them into the mixture to maintain a delicate texture. Carefully distribute this velvety batter across the prepared crusts, filling each cup approximately three-quarters full.
- Position the cheesecake-filled tin into the warm oven, allowing the delicate morsels to bake until their edges stabilize while maintaining a subtle tremor at the center. Once removed, permit the miniature delicacies to cool gradually, first within the tin, then transitioning to a cooling rack.
- After thoroughly chilling the cheesecakes; ideally overnight; embellish each morsel with billowy whipped cream or elegant cream cheese frosting. Complete the festive transformation by adorning with playful holiday sprinkles, crushed peppermint fragments, or diminutive edible decorations that evoke winter’s whimsy.
Notes
- Softening cream cheese is crucial for a smooth, lump-free filling. Leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing.
- Prevent cracking by avoiding overmixing the batter and not overbaking. The centers should still have a slight jiggle when you remove them from the oven.
- Use a water bath method by placing the muffin tin in a larger pan with hot water to create more even baking and reduce the chance of cracks.
- For gluten-free options, swap graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg