Peppermint Cheesecake Mousse Cups: Easy Holiday Treat

Peppermint Cheesecake Mousse Cups

The holiday season calls for a dessert that not only tastes incredible but also spreads joy, and my Peppermint Cheesecake Mousse Cups are precisely that! These delightful treats perfectly marry the cool, refreshing kick of peppermint with the luxurious, creamy tang of cheesecake, all conveniently served in individual cups that feel like a warm hug on a cold winter’s night.

I remember first whipping up a batch a few years back, desperately wanting something sweet yet surprisingly light after a grand holiday feast, and these little cups truly stole the show with their vibrant flavor and airy texture. In fact, if you adore the magic of peppermint as much as I do, you might also swoon over my White Chocolate Peppermint Panna Cotta – another festive favorite that captures the season beautifully.

Ready to bring this effortlessly elegant dessert to your own holiday table? These Peppermint Cheesecake Mousse Cups are guaranteed to impress, and you can explore more festive ideas, including insights on these very cups, over at Taste Charm!

Peppermint Cheesecake Mousse Cups: Easy Holiday Treat

Recipe by MayaCourse: DessertsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

A light, creamy, and festive no-bake dessert featuring the cool, refreshing flavor of peppermint and the tang of cheesecake, perfect for individual holiday servings.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups crushed OREO cookies (about 18 cookies)

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

• 1 ½ cups heavy cream, cold

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• ¼ cup crushed candy canes, plus extra for garnish

• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine crushed OREO cookies and melted butter. Press about 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture into the bottom of 8 small dessert cups or ramekins. Chill for 15 minutes.
• In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
• In a separate large bowl, beat cold heavy cream and powdered sugar on high speed until stiff peaks form.
• Gently fold about one-third of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until just combined. Then, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream until no streaks remain.
• Fold in ¼ cup of crushed candy canes.
• Spoon or pipe the peppermint cheesecake mousse mixture into the prepared dessert cups, filling them almost to the top.
• Chill the mousse cups for at least 2 hours, or until set.
• Before serving, garnish with additional crushed candy canes and an optional fresh mint sprig.

Notes

• Texture Perfection: For the lightest, airiest mousse, make sure your heavy cream is very cold and beat it until *firm* stiff peaks form. Over-mixing the cream cheese mixture can make it dense, so fold gently!
• Make-Ahead Magic: These peppermint cheesecake mousse cups are fantastic for entertaining as they can be made up to 2 days in advance. Just cover them tightly and store them in the refrigerator, adding the final garnishes right before serving for maximum sparkle.
• Flavor Boost: Don’t skimp on a good quality peppermint extract! It really makes the difference. If you love a stronger mint flavor, you can add an extra ¼ teaspoon, tasting as you go.