Delightful Christmas Tree Mini Cheesecakes
Description
These festive mini cheesecakes are perfect for holiday celebrations. Each cheesecake is shaped like a Christmas tree and decorated with vibrant green frosting, sprinkles, and a tiny star on top. Individually portioned, they’re both adorable and easy to serve. The creamy cheesecake filling sits atop a buttery graham cracker crust, making every bite a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy. These treats are sure to wow your guests and are a fun activity to make with family or friends.
Yields: 12 mini cheesecakes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 2–3 hours
Total Time: ~3 hours
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsp granulated sugar
For the Cheesecake Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 tbsp sour cream
2 tbsp heavy cream
For the Decoration:
1 cup green buttercream frosting
Mini star sprinkles or sugar stars
Small round or colored sprinkles (optional for ornaments)
Piping bag with small star tip
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until evenly combined.
Press about 1–2 tablespoons of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner in a muffin tin. Use the back of a spoon to flatten and compact the crust.
Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool slightly.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
Add sugar and vanilla extract; mix until creamy and fully combined.
Beat in the egg until just incorporated.
Mix in sour cream and heavy cream until smooth. Do not overmix.
3. Assemble and Bake
Spoon the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust, filling each cupcake liner about 3/4 full.
Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 18–20 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers slightly jiggle.
Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for 2–3 hours, or until fully chilled and firm.
4. Decorate as Christmas Trees
Fill a piping bag fitted with a small star tip with green buttercream frosting.
Starting at the bottom, pipe a zigzag pattern upward to form a Christmas tree shape.
Decorate with mini sprinkles to resemble ornaments.
Top each tree with a small star sprinkle.
Serve chilled and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Make Ahead: Cheesecakes can be prepared a day in advance; keep covered in the fridge.
Softening Cream Cheese: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps.
Optional Flavors: Add a hint of lemon zest to the filling for extra freshness.
Non-Dairy Version: Use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives.
Questions & Answers
Q1: Can I use cookie crumbs other than graham crackers?
A: Yes! Digestive biscuits, vanilla wafers, or even gingersnaps work wonderfully.
Q2: Can I freeze these mini cheesecakes?
A: Absolutely. Freeze un-decorated for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before decorating.
Q3: Can I make larger cheesecakes instead of minis?
A: Yes, just increase baking time to 25–30 minutes for a standard 6-inch cheesecake.
Q4: How do I prevent cracks on top?
A: Bake at a lower temperature and avoid overmixing. Let cheesecakes cool gradually before chilling