🎂 Mini Holiday Cheesecakes with Chocolate Ganache
Elevate your holiday dessert game with these elegant mini cheesecakes! Each individual cheesecake features a buttery vanilla base, a rich and creamy filling, a glossy chocolate ganache drip, and is crowned with silky whipped cream. Garnished with fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and a dusting of powdered sugar — these treats are the epitome of winter elegance.
📝 Ingredients:
Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs (or vanilla wafer crumbs)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling:
16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for structure)
Chocolate Ganache:
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy cream
Whipped Cream:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Garnish (optional but recommended for holiday style):
Fresh cranberries
Cinnamon sticks
Star anise
Fresh rosemary sprigs
Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Chocolate shavings or curls
👩🍳 Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Crust
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
Press mixture into the bottom of each cavity of a lined muffin tin or mini cheesecake mold.
Bake for 5–7 minutes. Remove and let cool.
Step 2: Prepare Cheesecake Filling
Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
Add sugar and mix until creamy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed.
Mix in vanilla extract and sour cream until well combined.
Spoon the filling over the crusts, filling each cavity almost to the top.
Step 3: Bake
Place the muffin tin or cheesecake pan into a larger roasting pan.
Fill the outer pan with hot water (to create a water bath).
Bake for 18–22 minutes until centers are set but slightly jiggly.
Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 4: Make Ganache
Heat heavy cream until just steaming (do not boil).
Pour over chocolate chips and let sit for 2 minutes.
Stir until smooth and glossy.
Spoon ganache over chilled cheesecakes and let it drip down the sides.
Step 5: Whipped Cream + Garnish
Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
Pipe or dollop onto cheesecakes.
Garnish with cranberries, cinnamon sticks, rosemary, star anise, and a dusting of powdered sugar.