Description
These adorable and incredibly flavorful mini gingerbread cheesecakes capture all the warm, spicy essence of gingerbread in a delightful, creamy, bite-sized package, perfect for any celebration or just because! They boast a spiced ginger snap crust and a rich, velvety cheesecake filling, all topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a tiny gingerbread friend.
Ingredients
Crust:
1.5 cups ginger snap cookie crumbs
3 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
1 tbsp brown sugar
Filling:
16 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup dark molasses
2 large eggs
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping:
Whipped cream and mini gingerbread man cookies for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325F (165C) and ready a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
Mix ginger snap crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar, then firmly press a tablespoon into the base of each muffin cup.
Bake the crusts for 5 minutes before setting them aside to cool slightly.
In a separate bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth.
Mix in dark molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla extract.
Add the eggs one at a time, blending on low speed just until incorporated.
Evenly distribute the cheesecake batter over the prepared crusts and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the centers are set.
Allow them to cool completely before chilling in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
Finally, garnish with whipped cream and mini gingerbread man cookies.
Notes
Soften Your Cream Cheese: For the smoothest filling, ensure your cream cheese is truly softened. This usually means leaving it on the counter for about an hour or two before you start baking.
Gentle Mixing: When adding the eggs, mix on low speed. This helps prevent incorporating too much air, which can lead to a less desirable texture in your finished cheesecakes.
Doneness Test: The cheesecakes are done when the edges are set and the very center still has a slight wobble. They will firm up considerably as they chill.
Cooling is Key: Resist the urge to dig in immediately. Allowing the cheesecakes to cool and then chill properly is crucial for achieving that classic dense and creamy cheesecake texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Cuisine: American