Description
These delightful Grinch Mini Cheesecakes are individual portions of creamy cheesecake with a vibrant green hue, perfect for the holiday season. Topped with a fluffy dollop of whipped cream and a tiny red candy heart, they are sure to bring smiles to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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 Food Coloring (gel)
- 1 1/2 cups Cookie Crumbs for the Crust (chocolate sandwich cookies or graham crackers)
- 1/4 cup Melted Butter (unsalted)
- Red Candy Hearts or Frosting for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a medium bowl, combine finely crushed cookie crumbs with melted butter until evenly moistened. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each prepared muffin liner and press firmly to create a solid base.
- Optionally, bake the crust for 5-7 minutes to prevent sogginess, then let it cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add granulated sugar to the cream cheese, beating on low speed until just combined. Then, beat in sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition until just combined.
- Add green gel food coloring starting with a few drops, mixing on low speed until the desired color is achieved.
- Divide the green cheesecake batter evenly among the prepared muffin liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers have a slight jiggle.
- Turn off the oven, prop the door open slightly, and let the cheesecakes cool inside for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, carefully peel away the paper liners and place a small red candy heart or piped red frosting heart on top of each cheesecake.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 22 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheesecake
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: For a dairy-free option, use plant-based cream cheese. To achieve a vibrant green color, use gel food coloring instead of liquid. If you want to prevent cracks, avoid overmixing and cool the cheesecakes slowly.