Description
Delightful No-Bake Gingerbread Cheesecake Cups featuring a spiced gingerbread crust and creamy cheesecake filling, topped with whipped cream and festive gingerbread decorations. Perfect for holiday gatherings or winter treats, these cups require no baking and come together quickly.
Ingredients
Scale
Gingerbread Crust
- 1 1/2 cups gingerbread cookies, crushed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 1 1/2 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
Decorations
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Crushed gingerbread cookies, for garnish
- Mini gingerbread men cookies, for garnish
- Ground cinnamon, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the gingerbread crust: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed gingerbread cookies with melted butter. Stir well until the mixture holds together when pressed.
- Form the crusts: Evenly divide the gingerbread mixture into serving cups, pressing firmly to create a solid crust layer at the bottom.
- Make the cheesecake filling: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla extract, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; mix until well combined.
- Fold in whipped cream: Gently fold the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture, careful to keep the filling light and fluffy without deflating the cream.
- Assemble cheesecake cups: Spoon or pipe the filling evenly over the gingerbread crust in each cup. Smooth the tops with a spatula or the back of a spoon for an even finish.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled cheesecake cups for at least 2 to 3 hours until the filling is firm and set.
- Decorate: Before serving, top each cup with a dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle crushed gingerbread cookies on top and add a mini gingerbread man cookie for a festive touch. Optionally, dust lightly with ground cinnamon.
- Serve: Enjoy these no-bake gingerbread cheesecake cups as a perfect holiday dessert or winter treat!
Notes
- Make sure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smoother mixing.
- Gently folding the whipped cream into the filling helps maintain a light, airy texture.
- Crush gingerbread cookies finely for a more uniform crust texture.
- Chilling time is crucial for the cheesecake to set properly.
- This recipe can be made a day in advance; store in the refrigerator covered tightly.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with whipped coconut cream for a dairy-free option (not tested).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: gingerbread cheesecake, no-bake dessert, holiday dessert, cheesecake cups, gingerbread cookies, festive dessert
