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Hot Cocoa Peppermint Cheesecake Bites

Hot Cocoa Peppermint Cheesecake Bites

Enjoy creamy, festive Hot Cocoa Peppermint Cheesecake Bites that blend rich cheesecake with nostalgic hot cocoa and refreshing peppermint flavors. These bite-sized treats are easy to make, perfect for holiday celebrations or cozy nights, offering a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a delicious chocolate-mint twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or gluten-free cookie crumbs for gluten-free)
  • 5 tablespoons melted butter

Cheesecake Filling

  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (use vegan cream cheese for dairy-free)
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted (use dairy-free chocolate chips if needed)
  • 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies

Optional Toppings

  • Whipped cream
  • Extra crushed peppermint candies
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Cocoa powder for dusting
  • Chopped toasted pecans or almonds (for nutty twist)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crust: Start by crushing graham crackers or gluten-free cookie crumbs finely, then mix with melted butter to create a crumbly but firm base. Press this mixture evenly into mini muffin tins or silicone molds, setting the stage for the creamy filling.
  2. Make the Cheesecake Filling: Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Fold in vanilla extract and melted chocolate chips carefully to maintain the rich, velvety texture. Gently stir in crushed peppermint candies for flavor and crunch.
  3. Assemble the Bites: Fill each crust-lined mold almost to the top with the cheesecake mixture, smoothing out the surface with a spoon. This ensures even portions and a polished look for your cheesecake bites.
  4. Chill Until Firm: Place the filled molds into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight to let the cheesecake set completely, achieving that perfect creamy but firm consistency.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Once chilled, remove the bites from the molds and decorate with extra crushed peppermint, mini chocolate chips, or a dollop of whipped cream for that final festive touch.

Notes

  • Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps and achieve a silky smooth filling.
  • Choose high-quality chocolate chips for richer flavor and better melting.
  • Chill bites thoroughly for at least 4 hours or overnight to ensure they hold their shape.
  • Crush peppermint candies into small pieces to avoid overwhelming texture and maintain pleasant crunch.
  • Lightly grease muffin tins or use silicone molds for easy removal without breaking.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot cocoa, peppermint, cheesecake bites, holiday dessert, no-bake cheesecake, festive treats, bite-sized dessert, chocolate peppermint dessert