There's something magical about bite-sized desserts that bring a festive sparkle to any holiday spread. These Christmas Oreo Mini Cheesecakes Recipe are exactly that—creamy, colorful, and perfectly portioned treats that capture all the joy of Christmas in every forkful. Trust me, you’ll want to add these to your dessert list this season.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
These mini cheesecakes quickly became one of my favorite Christmas traditions because they're festive, fuss-free, and incredibly delicious. What’s great is how the Oreos add an extra layer of chocolatey crunch that pairs so well with the smooth cream cheese filling—plus, the marbled red and green colors add that cheerful holiday vibe effortlessly.
- Festive and Fun: Bright red and green swirls make these mini cheesecakes a standout at any holiday party.
- Easy to Make: No complicated decorating skills needed—just simple layering and swirling.
- Perfect Portion Size: These bite-sized desserts mean no slicing disasters or oversized servings.
- Oreo Crust Kick: Using Oreos for the crust adds a rich, chocolate flavor that’s both nostalgic and indulgent.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Christmas Oreo Mini Cheesecakes Recipe plays its part perfectly—whether it’s bringing creamy texture, festive color, or that amazing Oreo crunch. Let’s break down why these are key.
- Oreo Cookies: Using the whole Oreo including the filling makes the crust buttery and sweet with a great chocolate base.
- Butter: Melts in nicely to bind the Oreo crumbs into a firm crust that holds together well.
- Cream Cheese: The star of any cheesecake, it gives that signature creamy tang and smooth texture.
- Sugar: Sweetens the batter just enough to balance the tartness of the cream cheese.
- Flour: Just a touch to help the cheesecake set properly without cracking.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the flavor.
- Lemon Zest: A subtle zing that brightens the rich batter.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the batter silky and luscious.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and give the cheesecake structure.
- Red and Green Food Coloring: Because what’s Christmas without those classic colors?
- Whipped Cream & Sprinkles: Adds a playful and festive finishing touch.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Christmas Oreo Mini Cheesecakes Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Want it sweeter? Add a swirl of caramel on top. Fancy a less colorful version? Stick to a plain marbled effect or use festive edible glitter instead.
- Variation: I've tried swapping out Oreos for ginger snaps to give the crust a spicy Christmas twist, and it was a delightful change!
- Dietary Adjustment: If you want a lighter version, consider using reduced-fat cream cheese and replacing heavy cream with Greek yogurt – just keep in mind the texture will be a bit different.
- Seasonal Twist: Try stirring in crushed peppermint candies for a cool minty kick right in the batter.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Oreo Mini Cheesecakes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Crust with Love
Start by crushing your Oreos—yes, with the filling! I find using a food processor saves time, but a rolling pin in a zip-lock bag works just as well. Mix those crumbs with melted butter until everything’s nicely moistened. Then, press about a tablespoon of this crumb mix into each cupcake liner using the bottom of a small rolling pin or a glass. Properly packing the crust down not only gives your cheesecakes structure but also that satisfying crunch.
Step 2: Whip Up The Creamy Batter
Beat the cream cheese until it’s silky smooth—don’t rush this step! Add sugar, flour, and lemon zest, blending until evenly combined. It’s crucial to scrape the bowl often to avoid lumps. Add eggs and vanilla extract, but watch out: overbeating lets in too much air, which can cause cracks. Finally, gently fold in the heavy cream to keep it luscious and smooth.
Step 3: Color & Create The Marbled Magic
Divide about a third of your batter into two smaller bowls and add a few drops of food coloring—green in one and red in the other. Pour layers of plain, green, and red batter over the Oreo crusts. Then, take a toothpick or skewer and swirl the colors gently in a circular motion. Be careful not to poke the skewer all the way to the crust or you’ll mix it all up.
Step 4: Baking & Cooling
Bake at a low temperature (150°C/300°F) for 20 minutes with a water bath or a baking dish filled with water in the oven to keep things moist. After baking, leave the cheesecakes in the oven turned off for 5 minutes before removing them. This step helps prevent cracking by letting the batter settle. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the counter for 15 minutes, then pop them in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 5: Finish With Festive Flair
When they’ve chilled thoroughly, peel off the cupcake liners carefully. Top each mini cheesecake with a dollop of whipped cream and some sprinkles to amp up the Christmas spirit. These little beauties are now ready to impress!
Top Tip
From my experience making these mini cheesecakes several holidays in a row, a few tricks make all the difference in nailing the texture and look of these treats.
- Don't Overbeat the Batter: Overbeating adds air bubbles that cause cracks and uneven texture; beat just until smooth and creamy.
- Water Bath is Key: Adding a pan of water in the oven keeps the heat moist and helps avoid dry or cracked cheesecakes.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything blend smoothly for a creamy filling.
- Be Gentle with Swirling: A light hand when swiping the skewer keeps the marbled colors pretty and distinct.
How to Serve Christmas Oreo Mini Cheesecakes Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these mini cheesecakes with a cloud of freshly whipped cream and festive sprinkles—red, green, or even a sparkly gold for extra cheer. Sometimes I add tiny candy canes crushed on top or a few fresh cranberries for a punch of color and tartness.
Side Dishes
These pair beautifully with coffee, spiced hot chocolate, or even a crisp glass of white wine. On the savory side, I often serve a cheese board or roasted nuts alongside for guests to nibble before diving into these sweet bites.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I arrange these mini cheesecakes on a tiered cake stand decorated with pine sprigs and fairy lights to give a winter wonderland effect. Another fun idea is to serve them in mini mason jars or clear cups with a spoon, layered with whipped cream and crushed Oreos between.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover mini cheesecakes stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just be sure to keep the whipped cream topping separate if possible—I usually add that fresh right before serving again.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these cheesecakes successfully (without toppings) by placing them on a baking sheet first to freeze individually, then transferring to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight for the best texture.
Reheating
Since these are best served chilled, I don’t recommend reheating. Just bring them to room temperature for 10–15 minutes after removing from the fridge—this softens the cheese filling nicely without losing that creamy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! This recipe actually benefits from chilling overnight, which helps the cheesecake firm up and deepens the flavors.
No worries! You can skip the colors entirely or use natural alternatives like beet juice powder for red and spinach powder for green to keep it festive but natural.
Definitely! Ginger snaps, chocolate wafers, or even graham crackers can work well—just adjust the sweetness accordingly.
Make sure not to overbeat the batter, bake at a low temperature with a water bath, and let the cheesecakes cool gradually in the turned-off oven before chilling.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Oreo Mini Cheesecakes Recipe holds a special place on my holiday baking list. The combination of festive colors, creamy texture, and that nostalgic Oreo crunch just makes this dessert pure joy to share with friends and family. Give it a try—you'll find yourself reaching for seconds (and maybe even thirds!) at your holiday party.
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Christmas Oreo Mini Cheesecakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini cheesecakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Mini Christmas Cheesecakes feature a festive marbled red and green batter on a crunchy Oreo cookie crust, topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties, these creamy cheesecakes are baked to perfection and chilled to set before serving.
Ingredients
Cheesecake Crust
- 100 g Oreo cookies crushed with the filling
- 30 g butter melted
Cheesecake Batter
- 450 g cream cheese
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 20 g all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 60 g heavy cream
- 2 eggs
- red & green food coloring
Topping & Garnish
- Whipped cream
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 150°Celsius. Place cupcake casings into a cupcake tray to prepare for the crust.
- Make the Crust: Process the Oreo cookies with filling into fine crumbs using a food processor or by pressing them with a rolling pin inside a zip lock bag. Transfer crumbs to a bowl and mix in the melted butter until thoroughly moistened. Place one tablespoon of this mixture into each cupcake casing and press down firmly with a small rolling pin. Set aside.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth for 30 to 60 seconds, scraping the bowl often to ensure even texture.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Flavor: Add granulated sugar, flour, and lemon zest to the cream cheese and beat for 20 seconds. Scrape the bowl.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add both eggs and the vanilla extract to the mixture and beat for about 10 seconds until combined; scrape the bowl and beat another 10 seconds until smooth and creamy. Avoid overbeating to prevent excess air incorporation.
- Fold in Heavy Cream: Gently fold the heavy cream into the batter until evenly combined.
- Color the Batter: Transfer one-third of the batter into two smaller bowls. Add green food coloring to one bowl and red food coloring to the other, mixing each well.
- Assemble the Cheesecakes: Pour the plain batter, then alternate with the green and red batters into the prepared cupcake casings. Use a skewer to swirl the batters in a circular motion creating a marbled effect without touching the crust.
- Bake with Moisture: Bake the mini cheesecakes at 150°Celsius for 20 minutes. Place a baking dish filled with water in the oven to maintain moisture during baking.
- Let Cheesecakes Rest: After baking, leave the cheesecakes inside the oven for an additional 5 minutes to prevent cracking.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the cheesecakes from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes at room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set the filling.
- Serve: Carefully peel off the cupcake casings. Top each mini cheesecake with whipped cream and sprinkles before serving. Store leftovers refrigerated.
Notes
- To make a full large cheesecake, use a 7-inch round cake tin and bake for 55 to 60 minutes.
- For a 9-inch round cake, double the recipe and bake for 65 to 70 minutes until the edges are firm and the center remains slightly wobbly.
- Using a water bath or placing a baking dish with water in the oven helps to keep the cheesecake moist and prevents cracks.
- Do not overbeat the batter to avoid too much air, which can cause cracks or a less creamy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheesecake
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
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