These festive mini cheesecakes are creamy, smooth, and unbelievably quick to make — no oven required. With a buttery cookie crust and a light, velvety cheesecake filling, they’re the perfect Christmas party dessert when you need something delicious, cute, and hassle-free. They chill fast, assemble easily, and look beautifully festive with colorful toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 15 minutes — super fast, no baking or special tools needed
- Perfectly creamy and rich with a light, fluffy texture
- Great for parties and gifting — individually portioned and easy to serve
- Endlessly customizable with Christmas sprinkles, chocolate, fruit, or crushed candies
- Kid-friendly and beginner-friendly — simple steps anyone can follow
- Make-ahead friendly so you can prep them early and chill until serving
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 ½ cups (about 150 g) crushed graham crackers or digestive biscuits
- 5 tbsp (about 70 g) melted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
For the No-Bake Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, cold
- ½ cup (100 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: 1 tbsp lemon juice for brightness
For Decorating (Choose Any)
- Christmas sprinkles
- Crushed candy canes
- Melted white or dark chocolate drizzle
- Whipped cream
- Mini gingerbread cookies
- Fresh berries
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust
- In a bowl, mix crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Spoon 1–2 tbsp mixture into cupcake liners or silicone molds.
- Press firmly with a spoon or the bottom of a small glass to form a tight base.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Fold whipped cream gently into the cream-cheese mixture until fluffy and uniform.
3. Assemble the Mini Cheesecakes
- Spoon the cheesecake filling over each crust layer, smoothing the tops with a spoon.
- Add sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or toppings of your choice.
4. Chill
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes if you need them ready quickly.
5. Serve
- Remove from molds or liners and serve chilled.
- Add whipped cream or extra decorations right before serving for the freshest look.
You Must Know
- A cold heavy cream is essential for a fluffy, stable filling.
- Do not overmix the folding step — this keeps the cheesecake airy.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture and flavor.
Pro Tips
- Add 2–3 tbsp melted white chocolate to the filling for even richer flavor.
- Use chocolate graham crackers for a deeper, dessert-like crust.
- Add a tiny pinch of salt to the crust (optional) to enhance the sweetness.
- Make in silicone molds for the cleanest edges.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Crust: Use Oreos, ginger snaps, shortbread, or Biscoff crumbs.
- Heavy cream: Use whipping cream or double cream.
- Cream cheese: Substitute mascarpone for a lighter, silkier result.
- Sugar: Swap powdered sugar for honey or maple syrup (reduce slightly).
Serving Suggestions
- Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes for a Christmas-themed look.
- Drizzle melted chocolate and add gold sprinkles for a party-perfect dessert.
- Serve with hot chocolate, coffee, or holiday punch.
Storage Tips
- Store chilled for 3–4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 1 month — thaw in the fridge before serving.
- Add whipped cream only before serving to keep it fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
→ Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes — they chill beautifully. Make them a day ahead for best texture.
→ Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. Freeze in molds, then transfer to a bag or container.
→ Why is my filling too soft?
The heavy cream may not have been whipped enough or the cream cheese was too warm.
→ Can I make them without cupcake liners?
Yes — silicone molds or small jars work perfectly.
Easy 15-Minute No-Bake Christmas Mini Cheesecakes
Description
These festive mini cheesecakes are creamy, smooth, and unbelievably quick to make — no oven required. With a buttery cookie crust and a light, velvety cheesecake filling, they’re the perfect Christmas party dessert when you need something delicious, cute, and hassle-free. They chill fast, assemble easily, and look beautifully festive with colorful toppings.
Ingredients
For the Crust
-
1 ½ cups (about 150 g) crushed graham crackers or digestive biscuits
-
5 tbsp (about 70 g) melted butter
-
2 tbsp granulated sugar
For the No-Bake Cheesecake Filling
-
8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
-
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, cold
-
½ cup (100 g) powdered sugar
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
Optional: 1 tbsp lemon juice for brightness
For Decorating (Choose Any)
-
Christmas sprinkles
-
Crushed candy canes
-
Melted white or dark chocolate drizzle
-
Whipped cream
-
Mini gingerbread cookies
-
Fresh berries
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust
-
In a bowl, mix crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter until the texture resembles wet sand.
-
Spoon 1–2 tbsp mixture into cupcake liners or silicone molds.
-
Press firmly with a spoon or the bottom of a small glass to form a tight base.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling
-
Beat softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
-
Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until well combined.
-
In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
-
Fold whipped cream gently into the cream-cheese mixture until fluffy and uniform.
3. Assemble the Mini Cheesecakes
-
Spoon the cheesecake filling over each crust layer, smoothing the tops with a spoon.
-
Add sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or toppings of your choice.
4. Chill
-
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes if you need them ready quickly.
5. Serve
-
Remove from molds or liners and serve chilled.
-
Add whipped cream or extra decorations right before serving for the freshest look.
Notes
-
A cold heavy cream is essential for a fluffy, stable filling.
-
Do not overmix the folding step — this keeps the cheesecake airy.
-
Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture and flavor.
