Festive Mini Christmas Cheesecake Cupcakes
These delightful mini Christmas cheesecake cupcakes are perfect for festive gatherings. Featuring a buttery graham cracker crust and a creamy cheesecake filling, they are easy to make and can be beautifully decorated for a holiday touch.
Equipment
- Muffin pan
- Paper liners
- Medium bowl
- Large bowl
- Wire rack
- Oven
- Electric mixer
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sour cream or heavy cream
For Decoration (Optional):
- Whipped cream
- Fresh cranberries
- Rosemary sprigs
- Green and red sprinkles
Instructions
Crust Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, and melted butter, mixing well. Press about 1 tablespoon of this mixture into the bottom of each muffin liner.
Cheesecake Filling
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with ¾ cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then stir in vanilla extract and sour cream until just combined.
Baking and Chilling
- Spoon the cheesecake mixture evenly over the crusts in each muffin liner, filling almost to the top.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the centers are almost set but still slightly jiggly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours or until fully set.
Decoration (Optional)
- Once chilled, remove paper liners. Decorate with whipped cream, fresh cranberries, a small rosemary sprig, and sprinkles if desired.
Notes
Ensure your cream cheese is completely softened to achieve a smooth cheesecake batter. Do not overmix the cheesecake filling once the eggs and sour cream are added to prevent cracking. Chilling for at least 3 hours is crucial for the cheesecakes to firm up properly before decoration.