These quick-and-super-easy Holiday Cheesecake Bites are both impressive and delicious!
I am so excited to share this recipe with you today. I am a HUGE fan of cheesecake. HUGE. So huge that I begged my husband to have cheesecake-only for our wedding “cake” 18 1/2 years ago. I backed off on that idea and opted for Spice Cake instead, but I’ve regretted that decision ever since! Cheesecake is the best thing ever!! Who’s with me on that one?
How to make Holiday Cheesecake Bites:
This dessert couldn’t be any easier to make. Just pop into the oven for 20 minutes, then fill with a very easy-to-make no-bake cheesecake filling. Top with POM arils and mint and that’s it!
These are the cups to look for at the store. They’re made by Pepperidge Farm®, and you’ll find them in the frozen section near the pastries- like pie crust. These are mini dessert bites. If you’d prefer to make a more individual, larger-sized fancy dessert then pick up the Puff Pastry SHELLS instead.
After they come out the oven, you just use the rounded end of a wooden spoon to poke down the middles.
Whip up the cheesecake filling and then scrape it into a baggie. Snip the end and squeeze the filling into each Puff Pastry Cup.
Just like that.
Time for the garnish: top with a few pomegranate arils (seeds). You can buy them in little packages at places like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods or other specialty markets. I’ve even seen that at my regular neighborhood market. Or you can open your own pomegranate and remove the arils yourself!
To complete the holiday look, finish with a small mint leaf. They’re perfectly safe to eat.
And there they are- all festive and pretty and Christmassy and stuff. Easy, right? I think they’re a pretty impressive dessert for the holidays, and they will look gorgeous on a platter.
If you prefer to make a larger-sized dessert for a dinner party, buy the Puff Pastry Shells instead (there are 6 in a package). When they come out of the oven, use a fork to gently remove the centers, then fill with the cheesecake filling and garnish. Enjoy!
Holiday Cheesecake Bites
Ingredients
- One 9.5-ounce box Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Cups (24 count)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- pomegranate arils
- 24 small fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Bake the Puff Pastry Cups according to package directions. Use the rounded end of a wooden spoon to poke down the hole in the middle of each pastry immediately after baking. Let cool. TIP: Bake the cups up to 24 hours ahead.
- In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the cream cheese. Then mix in the sugar and vanilla. Add the whipping cream and mix until thick. Transfer the mixture to a plastic baggie. Snip off the corner of the baggie and squeeze the filling into each of the Puff Pastry Cups. Garnish with POM arils and a mint leaf. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. TIP: Assemble the desserts up to several hours ahead of serving time. They'll keep just fine in the refrigerator.
Notes
- *If you prefer, you can make these in larger- one serving- dessert form. Use a box of Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Shells (6-count) instead.
- *This recipe can be easily doubled- just double all of the ingredients listed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I am so bummed my grocery store didn’t have the cups. So I will be using the shells but still super excited to make these Christmas day!! Thanks for sharing!
So easy! Looking forward to making these with my 14 year-old niece! Thanks and Merry Christmas!
What fun little desserts for Christmas parties!
The words cheese cake and puff pastry make me happy! 🙂
These are SO pretty, Lori! I love how easy they are, too!
I just used the puff pastry cups this last weekend! I mixed vegetable flavored cheese spread with light mayo, sour cream, chives, finely chopped red pepper, and shredded parmesan cheese and piped that into the cups. I wanted festive for our family potluck and the cups with their green chives and red peppers were a perfect compliment to the holiday season! Love these for easy appetizer options!!!
I’ve made an appetizer using these mini puff pastries and filling them with a roasted red pepper dip. Easy, delicious and a big hit.
These little puff pastry cheesecake bites are perfect for Christmas dessert buffets or cookie trays! Cheesecake is where it is at and I wish you had your tiered cheesecake wedding cake! I made them for weddings and bridal showers. People were always amazed cheesecakes could be tiered and frosted. Thanks for sharing, girl. Pinning!