Gnome Mini Cheesecakes Holiday (Print-Friendly Version)
Cute mini cheesecakes with crispy graham bases, smooth filling, and bright strawberry caps make a charming winter dessert. Perfect for holiday gatherings and family celebrations. Click to save.
# Ingredients You’ll Need:
→ Crust
01 -
1 cup crushed graham crackers
02 -
3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
03 -
2 tablespoons white sugar
→ Filling
04 -
16 ounces softened cream cheese
05 -
1/2 cup white sugar
06 -
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 -
2 large eggs
→ Topping and Decoration
08 -
Clean, trimmed fresh strawberries
09 -
Whipped cream with stabilizer (mix in 1 teaspoon powdered sugar or tiny bit of cream of tartar for every 1/2 cup heavy cream)
10 -
Powdered sugar for sprinkling
# How to Make It:
01 -
Get your oven hot at 325°F (163°C). Put paper liners in a 12-cup muffin tin or grab some silicone molds instead.
02 -
Mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and white sugar in a bowl until it looks like damp sand. Put about 1 tablespoon of this mix into each liner and push it down firmly with a small cup or spoon. Pop in the oven for 5 minutes, then let them cool while you work on the filling.
03 -
Beat the softened cream cheese in a big bowl with your electric mixer on medium until it's nice and smooth, roughly 2-3 minutes. Throw in the sugar and keep beating until it gets fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix it in. Drop in eggs one by one, mixing slowly after each one until they're well combined. If you want them super creamy, you can gently fold in 1/4 cup full-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt.
04 -
Divide your cheesecake batter among the muffin cups, filling them about three-quarters full. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 18-20 minutes until the centers just barely set and wiggle slightly. When done, turn off your oven but leave the cheesecakes inside with the door cracked open for 10 minutes so they don't crack. Then move them to a wire rack to cool all the way.
05 -
Put your cheesecakes in the fridge for at least 2 hours until they're completely cold and firm.
06 -
Take the mini cheesecakes out of their liners. Add whipped cream on top to make the gnome's beard. Place a strawberry upside-down on each one to create a cute gnome hat. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar to make it look like snow.
07 -
Put your decorated mini cheesecakes on a serving plate with some greenery, cranberries, or fun sprinkles before serving them.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
For the best results, go with full-fat cream cheese and don't overmix after adding eggs. Make sure they're totally cold before you start decorating.
02 -
Try something different: Make chocolate cheesecakes by adding 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or melted chocolate to your mix. For a minty twist, add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes.
03 -
Keep leftovers: Store plain mini cheesecakes in a sealed container in your fridge up to 4 days, or freeze them for a month. Add the decorations right before you serve them.