Grinch Mini Cheesecakes Recipe

Introduction

These Grinch Mini Cheesecakes are a fun and festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Bright green and topped with red candies, they bring a playful twist to classic cheesecakes in a bite-sized form.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 12 mini graham cracker crusts
• Green food coloring
• Red candies (such as red M&Ms or red hots) for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy.
2. Step 2: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in green food coloring until you achieve your desired shade.
3. Step 3: Pour the green cheesecake batter evenly into the mini graham cracker crusts, filling each almost to the top.
4. Step 4: Bake for about 15-18 minutes, or until the centers are just set and slightly jiggly.
5. Step 5: Remove from the oven and gently press a red candy onto the top of each cheesecake to resemble the Grinch’s heart or a festive touch.
6. Step 6: Let the cheesecakes cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to firm up.

Tips & Variations

• For extra richness, use full-fat cream cheese and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter.
• You can substitute red candies with fresh raspberries or cherries for a natural topping.
• Make sure not to overbake to keep the cheesecakes creamy and smooth.

Storage

Store the mini cheesecakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can be served chilled or brought to room temperature for a few minutes. Avoid freezing as it may change the texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular-sized cheesecake crusts instead of mini ones?

Yes, you can use a larger crust, but you will need to adjust the baking time accordingly and increase the batter quantity.

How do I prevent cracks on the cheesecake surface?

To avoid cracks, bake the cheesecakes gently at a low temperature and avoid overmixing the batter. Cooling them slowly also helps maintain a smooth surface.

Grinch Mini Cheesecakes Recipe

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4.7 from 85 reviews

These Grinch Mini Cheesecakes are a festive and fun dessert perfect for holiday celebrations. Creamy and tangy cheesecake is colored vibrant green to resemble the Grinch, topped with red candies to mimic his iconic hat, all nestled in a crunchy graham cracker crust. Individually sized for easy serving and chilling, these mini cheesecakes deliver holiday cheer in every bite.

• Author: Lila
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 mini cheesecakes 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Cheesecake Filling

• 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 10–15 drops green food coloring

Crust

• 1 1/2 cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted

Topping

• Red candies (e.g., red M&Ms, red cinnamon candies), about 24 pieces for topping each mini cheesecake

Instructions

1. Prepare the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of mini cheesecake pans or muffin tins lined with paper liners to form the crust base for each mini cheesecake.
2. Make the cheesecake batter: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in green food coloring until the batter reaches a vibrant green hue.
3. Fill the mini pans: Spoon the green cheesecake batter over the prepared crust in the mini pans, filling each about three-quarters full to allow space for rising.
4. Bake the cheesecakes: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the mini cheesecakes for 18-20 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers still slightly jiggle when gently shaken.
5. Cool and chill: Remove cheesecakes from oven and let cool to room temperature. Then place them in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set and chill.
6. Add the topping: Once the cheesecakes are chilled and firm, top each mini cheesecake with a single red candy to replicate the Grinch’s hat pompom.
7. Serve and enjoy: Remove the cheesecakes carefully from the pans or liners and serve chilled as a delightful holiday treat.

Notes

• Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to achieve a smooth batter without lumps.
• You can substitute the graham cracker crust with store-bought mini crusts for convenience.
• If you don’t have green food coloring, use natural alternatives like spinach powder, but adjust quantity for color intensity.
• Be careful not to overbake; centers should remain slightly jiggly to keep the cheesecake creamy.
• Use different red candies to add variation or for allergy preferences.
• Chilling time is important for texture; do not skip or shorten the refrigeration step.

Keywords: Grinch Cheesecake, Mini Cheesecakes, Holiday Dessert, Christmas Treat, Green Cheesecake