Description
Delicious mini cheesecakes decorated as Christmas trees, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs (or speculoos for holiday flavor)
- 5 tbsp (70g) melted unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional for Christmas warmth)
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup (125g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream, very cold
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Cinnamon or edible gold dust for sprinkling
- Fresh cranberries, raspberries, or cherries
- Gold sugar pearls / silver sprinkles
- Cinnamon sticks (cut in half)
- Small rosemary or pine sprigs (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a muffin pan with parchment or use mini cheesecake molds. Mix graham crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon until sandy. Press 2–3 tbsp into each mold, packing firmly. Bake for 6–8 minutes, then let cool.
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth (about 1 minute). Add sugar and beat again. Mix in vanilla and sour cream. Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently (do not over-beat). Spoon filling evenly over crusts, almost to the top.
- Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 18–22 minutes, until centers are just set but slightly jiggly. Let cool at room temp, then chill for at least 3 hours (overnight is best).
- Heat heavy cream until steaming (not boiling). Pour over chocolate chips, let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Cool for 5 minutes, then spoon over each cheesecake to create a pretty drip.
- Beat cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe upward in layers to form a tree shape. Sprinkle cinnamon or edible glitter for the “snow-dust” effect.
- Top each cheesecake with whipped cream tree, fresh cranberries/cherries, gold pearl sprinkles, a half cinnamon stick behind the tree, and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Optional: tuck a tiny pine/rosemary twig behind the tree for a Christmas aesthetic.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free graham crackers.
- These cheesecakes can be made a day in advance for convenience.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on your preference.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 18–22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheesecake
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg