Mini Grinch Cheesecakes
If you’re looking for a festive holiday treat, these Mini Grinch Cheesecakes are a whimsical and delicious addition to your dessert spread. With a fudgy brownie base and a bright green no-bake cheesecake filling, they bring the holiday spirit to life.
These little cheesecakes have quickly become a holiday favorite in our house. We made them last year on a snowy afternoon, and not only were they fun to make, but they disappeared almost as fast as we could set them out. If you have kids, this is such a fun way to get them involved in the kitchen too!
If you’re feeling festive, you might also love our Grinch Popcorn, Grinch Cookies, or Grinch Poke Cake. All easy, all super cute, and perfect for your next holiday party.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Festive: The bright green color and red heart make these a perfect Grinch-themed dessert.
- No-Bake Cheesecake: No oven needed for the filling, just mix, chill, and enjoy.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These store beautifully in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to serve.
- Brownie Base: Rich, chocolatey brownies pair perfectly with the tangy cheesecake topping.
Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
For these Mini Grinch Cheesecakes, we start with a classic 8×8 pan of brownies. You can use your favorite boxed mix or grab some from the bakery section to save time. The cheesecake layer is made with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped cream, resulting in a super smooth, creamy cheesecake. A few drops of lime green gel food coloring give it that signature Grinchy hue. And of course, don’t forget the Cool Whip and red candy hearts for topping!
Variations
- Use chocolate cookie crust: Instead of brownies, use crushed chocolate cookies mixed with melted butter for the base.
- Mini cupcake version: Make them in a mini muffin tin with liners for bite-sized treats.
- Add peppermint: A few drops of peppermint extract in the filling add a festive twist.
- Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free brownie mix to keep it allergy-friendly.
Instructions
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Use a 3-inch ring mold to cut out brownie rounds. Leave each one inside the mold.
- Beat softened cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth. Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
- Tint the filling green with gel food coloring. Spoon filling over brownie rounds in the molds and smooth the tops.
- Freeze for 2–3 hours until set. Remove molds, top with Cool Whip and a red candy heart.
Expert Tips
- Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps.
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant green without watering down your filling.
- Chill the cheesecakes overnight if you want a softer texture instead of freezing.
- You can use the pusher tool gently to avoid squishing the layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Yes! These can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge, or frozen for up to a month.
You can use a cupcake pan with liners or even layer it in a small glass for a parfait-style treat.
Absolutely. Just whip heavy cream with a bit of powdered sugar until stiff peaks form and pipe it on top.
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📖Recipe
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Mini Grinch Cheesecakes
Equipment
- 3-inch stainless steel ring molds (with pusher/lifter)
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- mixing bowls
- Spatula or spoon
- Tray or plate for chilling
Ingredients
Cheesecake
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- Lime green gel food coloring to your preferred shade
For Topping:
- Cool Whip or whipped cream
- Red candy hearts Wilton or cinnamon imperials work great!
Instructions
Prepare the Brownie Base
- Bake an 8×8-inch pan of brownies from your favorite boxed mix or use store-bought.
- Let them cool completely.
- Using your stainless-steel ring mold, cut out individual brownie rounds and leave each brownie round inside the mold (still on a tray or plate). This becomes the base of your cheesecake.
Make the Green Cheesecake Filling
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar and mix again until fully combined and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture. Add lime green gel food coloring, a few drops at a time, until you achieve that perfect Grinchy green.
Assemble the Cheesecakes
- Spoon the green cheesecake filling over the brownie bases still inside the molds, smoothing the tops.
- Use the pusher tool that comes with the mold to gently level and compact the filling.
- Place the cheesecakes in the freezer for at least 2–3 hours, or until set and firm.
- Top and Decorate
- Once firm, carefully lift the molds off each cheesecake.
- Top with a swirl of Cool Whip and press a red candy heart on top for that sweet Grinchy flair!
Notes
- These can easily be made ahead for parties!
- For extra flavor, add a touch of peppermint or almond extract to the cheesecake base.
- Want more hearts? Sprinkle mini red heart sprinkles across the top for extra holiday cheer.
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
