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!
