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Festive Grinch Mini Cheesecakes: Easy Holiday Treat Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 73 reviews

These Festive Grinch Mini Cheesecakes are a delightful and easy holiday treat featuring a creamy green cheesecake filling with a crunchy cookie crumb crust. Perfect for holiday parties or festive gatherings, these mini cheesecakes are decorated with adorable red candy hearts or frosting, making them a visually appealing and delicious dessert that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1 1/2 cups Cookie Crumbs (chocolate sandwich cookies or graham crackers), finely crushed
  • 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling

  • 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Large Eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream
  • Green Gel Food Coloring (start with a few drops, adjust to desired color)

Decoration

  • Red Candy Hearts or Red Frosting for decoration

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prepare for baking.
  2. Prepare Crust: In a medium bowl, combine finely crushed cookie crumbs with melted butter until the mixture is evenly moistened. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of this mixture into the bottom of each paper-lined muffin cup and press down firmly to create a solid base.
  3. Bake Crust (Optional): Bake the crusts for 5-7 minutes to help prevent sogginess. Allow them to cool slightly before adding the filling.
  4. Beat Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, ensuring a lump-free texture.
  5. Add Sugar and Sour Cream: Gradually add the granulated sugar, mixing on low speed until just combined. Then mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
  6. Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition until just combined to maintain a smooth batter without overmixing.
  7. Color the Batter: Add green gel food coloring starting with a few drops and mix on low speed. Continue adding and mixing until you achieve the desired bright green color reminiscent of the Grinch.
  8. Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the green cheesecake batter evenly among the prepared muffin liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
  9. Bake Cheesecakes: Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers still have a slight jiggle when gently shaken, indicating perfect doneness.
  10. Cool in Oven: Turn off the oven and prop the door open slightly. Let the mini cheesecakes cool inside the oven for 15-20 minutes to prevent cracking.
  11. Chill Cheesecakes: Remove the cheesecakes from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or overnight for best texture and flavor development.
  12. Decorate and Serve: Before serving, carefully peel away the paper liners and top each mini cheesecake with a small red candy heart or a piped red frosting heart for a festive finishing touch.

Notes

  • Using room temperature cream cheese and eggs helps achieve a smooth batter without lumps.
  • Baking the crust before adding the filling prevents sogginess and keeps the base crisp.
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter after adding eggs to avoid cracks during baking.
  • Chilling overnight enhances flavor and makes the cheesecakes firmer and easier to handle.
  • Gel food coloring provides a vibrant green without affecting the batter’s consistency.

Keywords: mini cheesecakes, Grinch cheesecake, holiday dessert, festive cheesecake, Christmas treats, green cheesecake, easy holiday recipe, mini desserts

Find it online: https://familyfavplates.com/festive-grinch-mini-cheesecakes-easy-holiday-treat-recipe/