Delightful Christmas Tree Mini Cheesecakes

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🎄🧁🍫 Delightful Christmas Tree Mini Cheesecakes

Creamy, colorful, and festively topped—these mini cheesecakes are a guaranteed holiday showstopper!

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tbsp sugar

Cheesecake Filling

  • 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
  • Green food coloring (gel preferred)

Christmas Tree Topping

  • 1 cup whipped cream or stabilized whipped topping
  • Green food coloring
  • Mini M&Ms, sprinkles, or edible pearls (for ornaments)
  • Small star sprinkles or yellow candies (for the tree topper)
  • Optional: Chocolate ganache drizzle (2 oz chocolate + 2 tbsp cream)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
  3. In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until it resembles wet sand.
  4. Spoon about 1 tbsp into each liner and press firmly with the back of a spoon or a small glass.
  5. Bake for 5 minutes, then let cool while preparing filling.

2. Make the Cheesecake Filling

  1. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy (avoid overmixing).
  2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently.
  3. Add sour cream, vanilla, and lemon juice; mix until fully combined.
  4. Add green food coloring until you reach your desired Christmas tree shade.

3. Fill and Bake

  1. Scoop filling into each muffin liner, filling ¾ full.
  2. Tap the pan gently on the counter to release air bubbles.
  3. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 15–17 minutes, until centers are set but slightly jiggly.
  4. Cool at room temp 30 minutes, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

4. Decorate Like Christmas Trees 🎄

  1. Tint whipped cream green.
  2. Pipe tall swirls on top of each cheesecake to mimic a Christmas tree (use a star tip for texture).
  3. Decorate with mini M&Ms, pearls, or sprinkles as tiny ornaments.
  4. Top each “tree” with a star sprinkle or candy.
  5. Optional: drizzle chocolate ganache over the crust or on the plate for extra flair.

Tips for Perfect Mini Cheesecakes

  • Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps.
  • Mix at low speed to prevent cracks caused by excess air.
  • For extra stability, use stabilized whipped cream for decorating.

Variations

✨ Chocolate version: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to filling.
✨ Peppermint twist: Add ¼ tsp peppermint extract + crushed candy canes.
✨ Gingerbread crust: Replace graham crumbs with spiced gingersnap crumbs.

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