The holidays are full of joy, family, and of course, amazing food. But let’s be honest, planning the big meal can feel a little overwhelming. Especially when it comes to the final course. You want something special, something memorable.
That is where this recipe comes in to save the day. We are talking about beautiful, individual gingerbread cheesecake cups. They are one of the best Desserts For Christmas Dinner because they are so simple to prepare. You get all of the festive flavor without any of the baking stress.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this is a no bake recipe. Your oven is probably already working overtime on Christmas Day. This treat gives your oven a much needed break. It also frees you up to focus on other parts of the meal. What a relief, right?
The flavor is pure holiday magic. Imagine the warm spice of gingerbread cookies mixed with the cool, creamy texture of cheesecake. It is a classic combination that just screams Christmas. Each spoonful is full of comforting, festive goodness.
These little cups also look so elegant. Serving desserts in individual glasses makes everyone feel special. The layers of crunchy crust, creamy filling, and fluffy topping are visually stunning. They look like something you would get at a fancy restaurant, but you made them right at home.
This is one of those fantastic Easy Holiday Desserts Christmas recipes that you can prepare ahead of time. You can assemble them the day before and just let them chill in the fridge. This is a huge time saver when you have a million other things to do.
Ingredients
- ½ cup crushed ginger snap cookies (about 10 cookies)
- 1 ½ tablespoons melted butter
- 5 ounces soft cream cheese
- 8 ounces cool whip, divided
- 1 ½ tablespoons molasses
- ⅛ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- Sprinkles for decoration
- Small gingerbread candies for decoration
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare The Crust
First, let’s get that crunchy base ready. Take your ginger snap cookies and crush them into fine crumbs. You can do this by placing them in a plastic bag and gently rolling over them with a rolling pin. Or, a few pulses in a food processor works great too.
Once you have your crumbs, mix them with the melted butter in a small bowl. The texture should be like wet sand. Now, divide this mixture evenly among six small glasses. I use 4 ounce glasses for this. Press the crumbs down gently to form a firm layer. Pop these glasses into the freezer while you make the filling.
Step 2: Make The Gingerbread Filling
In a medium sized bowl, it is time to combine the stars of the show. Add the soft cream cheese, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and powdered sugar. You will also add four ounces of the cool whip here. That is half of the container.
Using an electric beater, mix everything together until it is smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese left. The mixture should be light, fluffy, and smell absolutely amazing. This is the heart of our Quick Christmas Desserts.
Step 3: Assemble The Dessert Cups
Take your glasses out of the freezer. The crust should be nice and firm. Carefully spoon the gingerbread filling over the crust. Divide the mixture evenly between the six cups. You should have about three or four tablespoons of filling in each glass.
Smooth the top of the filling with the back of a spoon. Now, you can add the final layer. Use the remaining cool whip as a topping for each cup. A little dollop on top makes it look so professional. These will be beautiful Christmas Day Desserts.
Step 4: Chill And Decorate
Before you can enjoy these tasty treats, they need to set. Place the glasses in the refrigerator for about two hours. This chilling time allows the filling to firm up and the flavors to meld together. It is a crucial step for the best texture.
Just before serving, it is time to decorate. Add some festive sprinkles or a tiny gingerbread candy on top. This little touch makes them perfect Desserts For Christmas Dinner. They are almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is very simple. Just cover each glass individually with plastic wrap. You want to press the wrap gently against the topping to prevent a skin from forming. This keeps them fresh and ready for later.
They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days. The cookie crust might soften a little over time, but they will still be incredibly delicious. It makes for a nice little treat to enjoy after the holiday rush has passed.
Tips
For the best filling, make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature. It should be very soft. This helps it mix smoothly with the other ingredients and prevents any lumps in your final dessert. Just leave it on the counter for an hour or so before you start.
Do not have ginger snap cookies? No problem. You can easily substitute them with other cookies. Biscoff cookies, shortbread, or even crushed graham crackers would make a wonderful crust for these Simple Christmas Desserts.
Feel free to get creative with your toppings. A drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of cocoa powder would be delicious. You could also add a little bit of orange zest to the filling for a bright, citrusy note that pairs wonderfully with the gingerbread spices.
When you are dividing the mixtures into the cups, a piping bag can be your best friend. It is not necessary, but it helps create neat, clean layers. You can use a piping bag for both the filling and the cool whip topping for a polished look.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A wonderfully easy and delicious recipe for no bake gingerbread cheesecake cups. They are the ideal treat to round out your holiday meal. They offer all the festive flavor you crave without any complicated steps. They truly are one of the best Desserts For Christmas Dinner.
This recipe proves that you do not need to be a professional baker to create stunning Christmas Day Desserts. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make something that your family and friends will absolutely adore. So go ahead, give them a try this holiday season.
FAQ
Can I Make This In One Large Dish?
Yes, you certainly can. If you prefer not to make individual servings, you can press the crust mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking dish. Then, spread the filling over the crust and top with the cool whip. Just chill as directed and slice into squares to serve.
What Can I Use Instead Of Cool Whip?
If you are not a fan of cool whip, you can make your own stabilized whipped cream. Just whip one cup of heavy cream with a few tablespoons of powdered sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. It will be just as delicious.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
This recipe can easily be made gluten free. Simply use your favorite brand of gluten free ginger snap cookies for the crust. All the other ingredients in the recipe are typically gluten free, but it is always a good idea to double check the labels on your spices and powdered sugar.
How Far In Advance Can I Make These?
These are great make ahead Desserts For Christmas Dinner. You can prepare them completely up to 24 hours in advance. Just keep them covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. I recommend adding the final decorations like sprinkles just before serving for the best look.
Gingerbread Cheesecake Cups
These beautiful, individual gingerbread cheesecake cups are a simple, no-bake dessert, perfect for the holidays. Enjoy the festive flavors of gingerbread combined with creamy cheesecake, elegantly served in individual portions.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Crush ginger snap cookies into fine crumbs. You can do this by placing them in a plastic bag and gently rolling over them with an adjustable rolling pin. Or, a few pulses in a food processor works great too. Mix with melted butter. Press evenly into six 4-ounce glasses to form a firm crust. Freeze glasses while preparing the filling.
- In a medium bowl, combine soft cream cheese, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, powdered sugar, and 4 ounces (half) of the cool whip. Beat with a cordless hand mixer until smooth and creamy, with no lumps.
- Remove glasses from the freezer. Spoon the gingerbread filling evenly over the firm crust in each of the six cups (about 3-4 tablespoons per glass). Smooth the top.
- Top each cup with the remaining cool whip.
- Chill the assembled glasses in the refrigerator for about two hours to allow the filling to set and flavors to meld.
- Just before serving, decorate with festive sprinkles or a small gingerbread candy.
Notes
For the best filling, make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature. It should be very soft. This helps it mix smoothly with the other ingredients and prevents any lumps in your final dessert. Just leave it on the counter for an hour or so before you start.
Do not have ginger snap cookies? No problem. You can easily substitute them with other cookies. Biscoff cookies, shortbread, or even crushed graham crackers would make a wonderful crust for these simple Christmas desserts.
Feel free to get creative with your toppings. A drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of cocoa powder would be delicious. You could also add a little bit of orange zest to the filling for a bright, citrusy note that pairs wonderfully with the gingerbread spices.
When you are dividing the mixtures into the cups, a piping bag can be your best friend. It is not necessary, but it helps create neat, clean layers. You can use a piping bag for both the filling and the cool whip topping for a polished look.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
