Grinch Mini Cheesecakes are festive no-bake treats featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, vibrant green cheesecake filling, whipped cream topping, and a signature red candy heart perfect for holiday parties, movie nights, or cookie exchanges. These crowd-pleasing bites come together without an oven and capture the whimsical Grinch spirit.
Why You’ll Love These Mini Cheesecakes
These no-bake Grinch cheesecakes deliver creamy, tangy filling in perfect portion-sized bites with that iconic green color and red heart accent no water bath or cracking worries. They’re make-ahead friendly and travel well for potlucks.
Kid-approved and visually stunning, they pair beautifully with Grinch movie nights or holiday dessert trays alongside cake mix cookies from MyBakeRecipes.com.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the pan
- Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Make the crust
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until it resembles wet sand. Press 1 tablespoon into each liner using the back of a spoon. Chill while preparing filling.
- Beat cream cheese base
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Color the filling
- Add green gel food coloring, a few drops at a time, beating until vibrant Grinch green. Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks in a separate bowl, then gently fold into cream cheese mixture.
- Fill the liners
- Spoon or pipe green filling evenly over crusts, filling to the top of liners. Smooth tops with an offset spatula.
- Chill to set
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until firm.
- Top and serve
- Pipe or dollop whipped cream on each cheesecake. Place a red heart candy in the center. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Full-fat cream cheese and sour cream ensure proper setting; low-fat versions may not firm up.spiceupwithsophie
- Gel coloring gives intense color without thinning the batter like liquid dye.mariasmixingbowl
- For baked version, bake crust 5 minutes at 325°F, fill, and bake 15-18 minutes.facebook
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 8 oz (1 block) cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring (8-10 drops for Grinch green)
- ½ cup cold heavy whipping cream
Topping
- ½ cup whipped cream or Cool Whip
- 12 red heart-shaped candies
Instructions
- Prepare the pan
Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. - Make the crust
Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until it resembles wet sand. Press 1 tablespoon into each liner using the back of a spoon. Chill while preparing filling. - Beat cream cheese base
In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. - Color the filling
Add green gel food coloring, a few drops at a time, beating until vibrant Grinch green. Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks in a separate bowl, then gently fold into cream cheese mixture. - Fill the liners
Spoon or pipe green filling evenly over crusts, filling to the top of liners. Smooth tops with an offset spatula. - Chill to set
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until firm. - Top and serve
Pipe or dollop whipped cream on each cheesecake. Place a red heart candy in the center. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Full-fat cream cheese and sour cream ensure proper setting; low-fat versions may not firm up.
- Gel coloring gives intense color without thinning the batter like liquid dye.
- For baked version, bake crust 5 minutes at 325°F, fill, and bake 15-18 minutes.
Tips and Storage
Make these 1-2 days ahead—the flavors intensify and they slice cleanly. Freeze undressed cheesecakes up to 1 month; thaw in fridge and add toppings before serving.spiceupwithsophie
Store covered in fridge up to 5 days. Transport in the muffin tin for parties.mariasmixingbowl
Pair with Grinch Heart Cake Mix Cookies for a themed tray from MyBakeRecipes favorites.youtubemybakerecipes
Variations
- Brownie Base: Swap graham crust for fudgy brownie rounds.
- Oreo Crust: Use chocolate cookie crumbs for contrast.
- Strawberry Hats: Top hearts with strawberry slices as Grinch “hats.
Grinch Mini Cheesecakes FAQ
Q1. Can I bake these mini cheesecakes instead of no-bake?
Yes, pre-bake crusts at 325°F for 5 minutes, fill, and bake 15-18 minutes until centers jiggle slightly. Cool gradually in turned-off oven to prevent cracks.spiceupwithsophie+1
Q2. How do I store Grinch Mini Cheesecakes and how long do they last?
Store covered in fridge up to 5 days. Layer with parchment in airtight container. Freeze undressed up to 1 month; thaw overnight and add toppings fresh.mariasmixingbowl+1
Q3. Why use gel food coloring instead of liquid?
Gel delivers intense Grinch green without adding water that thins the filling and prevents proper setting. Start with 8 drops and add more as needed.mariasmixingbowl
Q4. Can I make these dairy-free or with substitutions?
Use dairy-free cream cheese, coconut cream for sour cream, and vegan whipped topping. Graham crust works with gluten-free crackers. Full-fat versions set best.spiceupwithsophie
Q5. What if my cheesecake filling doesn’t set firm?
Ensure full-fat ingredients, beat thoroughly but not overly (over-aeration causes weepiness), and chill at least 4 hours. Low-fat dairy won’t firm properly.spiceupwithsophie
Q6. Can I skip the whipped topping or use something else?
Topping stabilizes and adds holiday flair, but plain or with green frosting works. Red hearts adhere best to cream; press gently into set cheesecakes.mariasmixingbowl
Culinary disclaimer
This content is provided for informational purposes only. It does not replace medical advice, professional diagnosis, or personalized treatment.