Looking to bring a dash of festive cheer to your dessert table this holiday season? Try these delightful Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites. With a fantastic combination of creamy cheesecake, crunchy oreos, and fresh strawberries, these bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit with guests of all ages. They're not just delicious, they’re also an adorable tribute to the jolly man himself, making them a perfect addition to any holiday gathering.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are commonly found in home pantries. However, white chocolate chips may not be a staple in your kitchen and you should check if you have them before starting. Fresh strawberries, vital for the 'Santa hat' part of this treat, are seasonal and you might want to ensure they're available at your local supermarket. Lastly, the recipe uses oreos for the base; if you don't normally stock them, remember to pick up a pack.
Ingredients for Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites
Oreos: This serves as the base for our cheesecake bites, giving them a unique, crunchy texture contrasting the creamy cheesecake.
Butter: Used to mix with the oreos for forming the base and to coat the baking dish to prevent sticking.
Cream cheese: The main ingredient of the cheesecake, giving it its classic, creamy texture.
Granulated sugar: This will sweeten our cheesecake. Adjust to your preference.
Eggs: Acts as a binding agent for our cheesecake mixture.
Vanilla extract: Adds a hint of vanilla flavor to the cheesecake.
White chocolate chips: Melts into the cream cheese mixture for added sweetness and creaminess.
Heavy cream: Used to soften and add richness to the cheesecake mixture. It's also whipped for the 'fur' on Santa's hat.
Fresh strawberries: Used for the 'hat' part of the Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites. Pick ripe, bright red ones for the best effect.
Powdered sugar: Added to the whipped cream to sweeten it.
One reader, Boone Ryan says:
These Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites are absolutely delightful! The combination of creamy cheesecake, crunchy Oreo crust, and sweet strawberries is simply divine. The festive appearance adds a fun touch to any holiday gathering. Plus, they're easy to make and always a hit with guests. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Making Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites
How to prepare the crust: Blend together crushed Oreos and melted butter until well combined and evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
How to make the cheesecake filling: Blend together cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, then mix until well blended. Heat white chocolate chips with heavy cream in the microwave, stirring until melted and smooth. Pour the melted white chocolate mixture into the cream cheese mixture and blend until combined.
How to bake the cheesecake: Bake the cheesecake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes, then turn the oven off and allow the cheesecake to rest in the warm oven for 15 minutes without opening the door. Remove from the oven and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, then cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 3 hours or refrigerate for 6 hours.
How to make sweetened whipped cream: Whip the remaining heavy cream until soft peaks form, then add powdered sugar and mix until stiff peaks form.
How to assemble the Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites: Cut the cheesecake into squares, then cut a flat top off each strawberry and lay it flat side down over the top of the cheesecake. Fill a pastry bag with sweetened whipped cream and pipe around the strawberry, finishing with a small amount over the top of the hat. Serve immediately and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
How To Make Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites
Christmas feels all over with this cheesecake bites desserts made from Oreo cookie crust with white chocolate cheesecake filling and strawberry on top.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 18Oreos,finely crushed to about 1¾ cups
- 2½tbspbutter,melted and divided
- 2pkgscream cheese,(8 ounce), softened
- ¼cupgranulated sugar,plus 2 tablespoons
- 2large eggs
- ½tspvanilla extract
- 1⅓cupswhite chocolate chips
- ½cupheavy cream,plus ⅓ cup, divided
- 25fresh strawberries,fairly small
- 2tbsppowdered sugar
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with two large sheets of tinfoil (one going horizontally and one over the top of the other vertically.
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Brush foil with ½ tablespoon of melted butter.
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In a mixing bowl, using a fork blend together crushed Oreos and 2 Tablespoons of melted butter until mixture is well combined and evenly moistened.
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Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer set on medium-low speed, blend together cream cheese and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth for about 30 seconds.
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Add in eggs and vanilla extract and mix until well blended. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, heat white chocolate chips with ⅓ cup of heavy cream on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth.
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Pour melted white chocolate mixture into cream cheese mixture and blend on low speed until combined.
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Tap bowl against countertop for about 30 times to release some of the air bubbles then pour mixture over prepared crust in baking dish.
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Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes then turn the oven off and without opening the oven door allow cheesecake to rest in a warm oven for 15 minutes.
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Remove from oven and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes then cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 3 hours or refrigerate for 6 hours.
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Once cheesecake is fully chilled and set, remove it from the freezer or refrigerator and lift the cheesecake out of the pan using the foil overhang.
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Cut cheesecake into squares.
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In a mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer set at high speed, whip the remaining ½ cup of heavy cream until soft peaks form then add powdered sugar and mix until stiff peaks form.
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Cut a flat top off of each strawberry and lay flat side down over top of cheesecake. Fill a pastry bag with sweetened whipped cream and pipe around strawberry then finish with a small amount over the top of the hat.
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Serve immediately. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Calories: 159.31kcal
- Fat: 10.23g
- Saturated Fat: 5.51g
- Trans Fat: 0.06g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.17g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.70g
- Carbohydrates: 15.63g
- Fiber: 0.54g
- Sugar: 12.52g
- Protein: 2.09g
- Cholesterol: 33.84mg
- Sodium: 74.32mg
- Calcium: 34.38mg
- Potassium: 85.69mg
- Iron: 1.22mg
- Vitamin A: 61.60µg
- Vitamin C: 7.97mg
Helpful Technique Tip for Making Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites
When preparing the strawberries for the Santa hat decoration, ensure they are thoroughly dried after washing. Any excess moisture can cause the whipped cream to slide off, ruining the presentation. Additionally, when cutting the flat top off each strawberry, aim to make the cut as level as possible. This will provide a stable base for the whipped cream and will help the strawberry to sit upright on the cheesecake bite.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Cheesecake Bites
Preparation: Gather all ingredients and equipment before starting to save time and ensure a smooth cooking process.
Organization: Organize your workspace and lay out all the ingredients and tools you will need before you begin cooking.
Multi-tasking: Look for steps where you can simultaneously prepare ingredients or work on different components of the recipe to save time.
Efficient clean-up: Clean as you go to minimize clutter and make the post-cooking clean-up process quicker and more manageable.
Prioritize: Focus on the most time-consuming tasks first, such as chilling or baking, while working on other components of the recipe.
Streamline: Simplify the recipe by using pre-made ingredients or shortcuts without compromising on flavor or quality.
Plan ahead: Consider making certain components of the recipe in advance to save time on the day of serving.
Consolidate: Combine similar tasks, such as chopping ingredients or preparing multiple components simultaneously, to save time and effort.
Substitute Ingredients For Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites Recipe
oreos - Substitute with chocolate graham crackers: Chocolate graham crackers can provide a similar chocolatey flavor and crunchy texture to the crust.
butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a substitute for butter in this recipe to achieve a similar binding and moisture-retaining effect.
cream cheese - Substitute with vegan cream cheese: Vegan cream cheese can be used as a dairy-free alternative, providing a similar creamy texture and flavor.
granulated sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be used as a natural alternative to granulated sugar, adding a slightly caramel-like flavor to the recipe.
eggs - Substitute with applesauce: Applesauce can be used as a vegan-friendly alternative to eggs, providing moisture and binding properties to the recipe.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract can be used to add a nutty and sweet flavor similar to vanilla extract.
white chocolate chips - Substitute with vanilla-flavored candy coating: Vanilla-flavored candy coating can be used as a substitute for white chocolate chips, providing a similar creamy and sweet taste.
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can be used as a dairy-free alternative to heavy cream, providing a rich and creamy texture.
strawberries - Substitute with raspberries: Raspberries can be used as a substitute for strawberries, providing a similar tartness and vibrant color to the dessert.
powdered sugar - Substitute with maple sugar: Maple sugar can be used as a natural alternative to powdered sugar, adding a hint of caramel-like sweetness to the recipe.
Presentation Ideas for Festive Cheesecake Bites
Elevate the plating: When presenting the Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites, pay attention to the plating. Use a clean, white plate to create a stunning contrast against the vibrant red of the strawberries and the creamy white of the cheesecake. The presentation should be visually appealing and inviting.
Incorporate artistic elements: Utilize edible flowers or mint leaves to add a touch of elegance to the plate. These elements not only enhance the visual appeal but also bring a fresh and natural aspect to the presentation.
Focus on precision: Carefully place each Santa Hat Cheesecake Bite on the plate, ensuring uniformity and attention to detail. Precision in plating demonstrates a high level of culinary skill and attention to presentation.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate to allow the Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites to stand out. The strategic use of empty space can draw attention to the dessert and create a visually striking presentation.
Incorporate a drizzle: Add a delicate drizzle of raspberry coulis or chocolate sauce to the plate. The drizzle not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a complementary flavor to the dessert.
Consider height and layers: Create a multi-dimensional presentation by layering the Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites, allowing them to stand at varying heights on the plate. This adds visual interest and sophistication to the overall presentation.
Use a garnish: Garnish the plate with a dusting of edible gold flakes or powdered sugar to add a touch of luxury and refinement to the dessert. The garnish should be used sparingly to maintain a sense of balance and elegance.
Attention to symmetry: Arrange the Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites in a symmetrical pattern on the plate, ensuring that each element is thoughtfully placed to create a visually harmonious presentation. Symmetry adds a sense of order and balance to the plating.
Essential Tools for Making Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites
- Oven: Used for baking and roasting dishes.
- 8x8-inch baking dish: A square baking dish used for making smaller portions of baked goods.
- Tinfoil: Used for lining baking dishes and wrapping food for cooking.
- Fork: Used for blending and mixing ingredients together.
- Electric hand mixer: Used for blending and mixing ingredients at a faster speed than manual mixing.
- Microwave-safe bowl: A bowl that is safe to use in the microwave for heating and melting ingredients.
- Pastry bag: Used for piping whipped cream and other fillings onto desserts.
- Plastic wrap: Used for covering and wrapping food to keep it fresh.
- Refrigerator: Used for storing and chilling food at a low temperature.
- Freezer: Used for freezing and storing food at a very low temperature.
Storing and Freezing Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites
Here are the storing and freezing guidelines for the Santa hat cheesecake bites recipe:
- Storing: Place the cheesecake bites in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The whipped cream topping may start to break down after a couple of days, so it's best to add the topping just before serving if you plan to store them for longer.
- Freezing:
- If you want to freeze the cheesecake bites for later, it's best to freeze them without the strawberry and whipped cream topping.
- Wrap the cooled and set cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
- Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 2 months.
- To thaw, remove the cheesecake from the freezer and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Once thawed, cut the cheesecake into bites and add the strawberry and whipped cream topping just before serving.
Interesting Fact About Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites
The Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites recipe is a delightful and festive treat to enjoy during the holiday season. These cheesecake bites are a creative and adorable dessert that combines the rich flavors of cream cheese and white chocolate with the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries. This recipe offers a fun and visually appealing way to present a classic dessert, making it perfect for holiday gatherings and parties. The combination of creamy cheesecake, crunchy Oreo crust, and juicy strawberries creates a delightful flavor and texture experience for all to enjoy. These Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites are sure to be a hit at any festive celebration.
Is Making Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites at Home Cost-Effective?
This santa hat cheesecake bites recipe is moderately cost-effective for a household. The use of cream cheese, white chocolate chips, and strawberries can be affordable, while the addition of oreos and heavy cream may slightly increase the cost. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $20-$25. The overall verdict for this recipe is 9/10, considering its visual appeal, delightful taste, and festive presentation.
Are Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites Healthy or Unhealthy?
The Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites recipe, while undeniably delicious and festive, is not particularly healthy. The main ingredients, such as cream cheese, white chocolate chips, and heavy cream, are high in saturated fats and calories. The Oreo cookie crust also contributes to the overall sugar and fat content of the dessert. Additionally, the recipe lacks any significant sources of fiber, vitamins, or minerals, making it a treat that should be enjoyed in moderation.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace the Oreo cookie crust with a whole-grain graham cracker crust or a nut-based crust for added fiber and healthy fats
- Use reduced-fat cream cheese to lower the saturated fat content
- Substitute white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips, which contain more antioxidants and less sugar
- Replace some of the heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a protein boost and reduced fat content
- Incorporate fresh fruit, such as diced strawberries or raspberries, into the cheesecake batter for added fiber, vitamins, and natural sweetness
- Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe or use a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit extract
Editor's Opinion on These Festive Cheesecake Bites
The Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites recipe is a delightful and festive treat, perfect for the holiday season. The combination of creamy cheesecake, crunchy Oreo crust, and sweet strawberries creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The presentation is charming, resembling Santa's iconic hat, making it a visually appealing dessert for any holiday gathering. The recipe's clear instructions and simple techniques make it accessible for home cooks, while the final result is sure to impress guests. Overall, this recipe is a fun and delicious way to add a touch of holiday cheer to any celebration.
Enhance Your Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites Recipe:
This recipe guarantees a delightful festive treat, with a decadent cheesecake base and a luscious white chocolate topping. The combination of oreos and butter creates a rich and crumbly crust, while the addition of strawberries adds a fresh and fruity twist. The step-by-step instructions ensure a foolproof process, and the final touch of whipped cream adds a delightful finish. Trust in the expertise of this culinary genius to deliver a delightful and visually stunning dessert that will impress all your guests.
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