I’m absolutely thrilled to share my Santa Hat Strawberry Cheesecake Bites with you today!
These adorable mini desserts are my secret weapon for holiday parties. They’re cute, creamy and always the first to disappear from the dessert table.
The recipe has been perfected over years of Christmas gatherings, and guests will be begging for the recipe.
Want to know what makes these festive treats so irresistible?
The magic is all in how you transform simple ingredients into something spectacular…
Ingredients
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Sugar or powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Fresh strawberries
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Recommended Tools
- Mini Muffin Tin:
Essential for forming the individual graham cracker crusts that serve as the base for each cheesecake bite.
- Electric Mixer:
Makes quick work of beating the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until perfectly smooth and creamy.
- Mixing Bowls:
Needed for preparing both the graham cracker crust mixture and the creamy cheesecake filling.
- Rubber Spatula:
Perfect for scraping down the sides of the bowl when mixing cream cheese and for transferring the filling to the crusts.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons:
Ensures you add just the right amounts of each ingredient for perfectly balanced flavor.
- Fine Mesh Sieve:
Useful for the optional step of dusting powdered sugar over the strawberries to create the Santa hat trim effect.
Instructions for Santa Hat Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
Let’s get baking these adorable mini treats! First, preheat your oven to 325°F – we want it nice and ready for these little guys.
Grab those graham crackers and crush about 8 full sheets until you have 1 cup of crumbs. Mix them with 3 tablespoons of melted butter until they look like wet sand. Press this mixture into the cups of a mini muffin tin to create tiny crusts. Pop them in the oven for 4-5 minutes just to set them up!
While your crusts are baking, let’s whip up that creamy filling! In a bowl, beat 8 oz of softened cream cheese (that’s one whole block) with ¼ cup of sugar and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract until it’s smooth and fluffy. Don’t overbeat it – we’re not making whipped cream here!
Now for the fun part! Spoon your cheesecake filling onto each crust. Take your 12 fresh strawberries (try to find ones with white tips for that perfect Santa hat look!) and trim them so the pointy end faces up. Place one strawberry on top of each filled crust.
Slide these cuties back into the oven for 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for them to be set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the middle – that’s the secret to perfect cheesecake texture!
Once baked, let them cool completely at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator. They need to chill until firm – at least 2 hours, but overnight is even better if you can wait that long!
For the finishing touch, dust the strawberry “hats” with a little powdered sugar to create that perfect Santa hat trim. The white tips of the strawberries plus the powdered sugar create the cutest little Santa hats you’ve ever seen!
Watch your guests’ faces light up when you serve these festive, bite-sized treats at your holiday gathering!
Pro Tips
For easier and cleaner removal of the cheesecake bites, line your mini muffin tin with paper liners or lightly coat with non-stick spray before pressing in the graham cracker crust mixture.
Substitutions & Variations
These festive Santa Hat Strawberry Cheesecake Bites can be customized with simple tweaks to suit different tastes preferences or dietary needs while maintaining their adorable holiday appearance.
- Chocolate Graham Base: Substitute chocolate graham crackers or chocolate cookies for regular graham crackers to create a chocolate-strawberry flavor combination that pairs beautifully with the creamy filling.
- Citrus Infusion: Add 1 teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the cheesecake filling for a bright citrus note that balances the richness of the cream cheese.
- Gluten-Free Option: Replace graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookies or a mixture of almond flour and crushed gluten-free cereal for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Mini Candy Cane Garnish: Place tiny pieces of candy canes around the base of each strawberry for extra holiday flair and a hint of peppermint flavor.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute dairy-free cream cheese and coconut oil instead of butter to make these treats accessible for those avoiding dairy products.
- Red Velvet Base: Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder and a few drops of red food coloring to the crust mixture for a festive red velvet base that complements the strawberry topping.
Leftovers & Storage Tips
Though these adorable Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites typically disappear quickly at holiday gatherings, you might find yourself with leftovers that you’ll want to preserve properly.
Store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.
I don’t recommend freezing them—the strawberries will get mushy when thawed!
For best flavor, let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving again.
Holiday Dessert Platter
Santa Hat Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
Festive mini cheesecakes topped with strawberries to resemble Santa hats, perfect for holiday gatherings.
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 8 full sheets)
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (1 block)
- ¼ cup sugar or powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 12 fresh strawberries (medium to large, with white tips if possible)
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter; press into mini muffin tin cups to form crusts.
- Bake crusts 4–5 minutes, then prepare filling.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spoon filling atop crusts; place a strawberry (cut so the tip faces up) on each.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until set but slightly jiggly.
- Cool, then refrigerate until firm.
- Optionally, dust with powdered sugar to resemble Santa hat trim.
