Mini Peppermint Cheesecake Recipe
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Christmas Mini Cheesecakes
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Make these cute little peppermint cheesecakes for the holidays! They are so tasty and darling to put on a white platter for a Christmas party. If you like peppermint, try our peppermint lasagna too!
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FAQs:
- What will I need to complete this recipe?
- You will need the following ingredients:
- Oreo Cookie Crumbs: These provide a rich, chocolatey base for the cheesecake, complementing the peppermint flavor and adding a satisfying crunch.
- Unsalted Butter: The melted butter binds the Oreo crumbs together, helping to form a solid crust that holds its shape when the cheesecakes are removed from the liners.
- Cream Cheese: This is the main ingredient in the filling, giving the cheesecake its classic creamy, tangy flavor and smooth texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Sugar sweetens the cheesecake filling, balancing the tanginess of the cream cheese and enhancing the overall flavor.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream adds creaminess and a slight tang, helping to create a smooth, velvety texture in the cheesecake while also preventing it from being too dense.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cheesecake by adding warmth and depth, complementing the peppermint without overpowering it.
- Peppermint Extract: This extract infuses the cheesecake with a refreshing, minty flavor, making it distinctly peppermint.
- Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding the filling together as it bakes and setting the cheesecake to give it structure.
- Peppermint Candies or Candy Canes: These add a crunchy texture, a burst of peppermint flavor throughout the cheesecake, and a festive touch.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is whipped to create a light, airy topping that balances the richness of the cheesecake and adds a fluffy, creamy contrast.
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar sweetens the whipped cream while also helping to stabilize it so it holds its shape when piped or spread.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds a hint of flavor to the whipped cream, enhancing its taste and complementing the vanilla in the cheesecake filling.
- You will need the following supplies:
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Food processor
- Muffin pan
- Cupcake liners
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon
- Rubber spatula
- Hand or stand mixer
- Piping bag or spoon
- Piping tip
- Pot or teapot
- Baking pan or roasting pan
- You will need the following ingredients:
- How do I store my Mini Peppermint Cheesecakes?
- Store the mini peppermint cheesecakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 – 4 days.
- If you need to store them longer, you can freeze the cheesecakes (without the whipped topping) in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving and add the whipped topping and garnish just before serving.
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Mini Peppermint Cheesecakes
Servings 12
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups Oreo cookie crumbs about 15 – 18 Oreos
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
For the Peppermint Cheesecake Filling:
- 1 8-ounce block cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup sour cream room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 large egg room temperature
- ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
For the Homemade Whipped Topping:
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
- 2 – 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Garnish:
- ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a muffin pan with paper cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, mix together 1 ½ cups Oreo cookie crumbs and 2 tablespoons melted butter until well combined. Divide the mixture evenly among the cupcake liners, pressing it firmly into the bottom to form a crust.
- Bake the crusts in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let them cool while you prepare the cheesecake filling.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat (1) 8-ounce block of softened cream cheese and ¾ cup granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add ⅓ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, and mix until fully incorporated. Beat in 1 large egg, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies.
- Using a piping bag or spoon, evenly distribute the cheesecake filling over the cooled Oreo crusts, filling each cupcake liner about two-thirds to three-quarters full.
- To prepare a small water bath, bring a pot of water to a boil. Carefully pour the boiling water into a baking or roasting pan until it’s about 1 – 2 inches deep. Once the oven has reached the 325°F, place the water bath on the lower rack of the oven.
- Place the mini cheesecakes on the middle rack above the water bath and bake at 325°F for 18 – 20 minutes, or until the centers are set and no longer jiggly. Allow the cheesecakes to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- In a chilled mixing bowl, beat 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream, 2 – 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract on high speed until stiff peaks form. Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with your desired tip.
- Once the cheesecakes are fully chilled, pipe a generous swirl of whipped topping onto each mini cheesecake. Garnish with the additional crushed peppermint candies.
- Serve and ENJOY!
Notes
– While Oreo cookies are a classic choice, you can experiment with chocolate graham crackers or even gingersnaps for a different flavor twist.
– Make sure your cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature before mixing. This helps ensure a smooth, lump-free filling.
– Pro Tip: When making the filling, mix the ingredients just until smooth and combined. Overmixing can incorporate too much air, leading to cracks in the cheesecake.
– Pro Tip: Using a pan of water on the bottom rack as your water bath creates a steamy environment that helps prevent cracks.
– Make sure your cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature before mixing. This helps ensure a smooth, lump-free filling.
– Pro Tip: When making the filling, mix the ingredients just until smooth and combined. Overmixing can incorporate too much air, leading to cracks in the cheesecake.
– Pro Tip: Using a pan of water on the bottom rack as your water bath creates a steamy environment that helps prevent cracks.