These candy cane cheesecakes are the perfect holiday cheesecake. Peppermint chips and crushed candy canes turn your ordinary cheesecake into a Christmas favorite, My little toddler chef also LOVED crushing the candy canes!
You can bake this as a whole cheesecake but cheesecake bites using candy cane stripped cupcake liners make these easy to serve for parties.
For optimal viewing of toddler instructions, please view on a larger screen such as tablet or laptop devices.
This recipe makes 24 mini cheesecakes.
AuthorcookingwithtoddlersIngredients
General Directions:
Crust:
- In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Place cupcake liners inside muffin tin.
- Layer the bottom of each liner with crust and press down on it with your fingers or a spoon.
Filling:
- Heat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla to mixing bowl.
- Beat with a stand mixer with whisk attachment.
- Mixing on low speed, add one egg at a time until just combined.
- Add Peppermint Chips. Stir until just combined
- Using a large spoon or ladle, add filling to muffin tin – filling 3/4 full.
- Place 3 candy canes in a plastic bag and crush using the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Top each cheesecakes with crushed candy canes.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Cake tester or toothpick should come out clean when poking it.
- Cool on a cooling rack. Then refrigerate for 4 hours.
- Optional: top with additional crushed candy canes and red/white colored sugar sprinkles.
Toddler Instructions: Click on the skill level below for detailed instructions. (#s relate to General Directions)
Beginner:
Crust:
1. Pour pre-measured ingredients into mixing bowl. Using hand over hand help, combine ingredients.
2. Help place cupcake liners.
3. Help place cupcake liners in muffin tin.
Filling:
2. Add pre-measured ingredients to mixing bowl.
5. Pour in peppermint chips. Using hand over hand help, stir to combine.
7. If you trust your toddler to only hit the candy canes, then they can help crush candy canes using bottom of measuring cup.
11. Optional; help sprinkle tops of cheesecakes with crushed candy canes and sprinkles.
Experienced:
Crust:
1. Pour in pre-measured ingredients. Help to fully mix together using mixing spoon, with help as needed.
2. Place cupcake liners into muffin tin, with help as needed.
4. Help spoon crust into each of the cupcake liners, using a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon.
Filling:
2. Add pre-measured ingredients to mixing bowl.
3. With close supervision, help operate stand mixer to beat ingredients.
4. Pour in pre-cracked eggs one at a time. Help combine with stand mixer.
5. Pour in peppermint chips. Help stir to combine.
6. Help spoon filling into muffin tin, using a 1/2 cup measuring cup can make this task easier.
7. Crush candy canes with bottom of measuring cup.
8. Help sprinkle tops of cheesecakes with crushed candy canes.
11. Optional; help sprinkle tops of cheesecakes with crushed candy canes and sprinkles.
Pro:
Crust:
1. Cut amount of butter needed, peel wrapper off butter, and place butter in microwave safe dish for melting. Can help operate the microwave too!Help measure remaining ingredients. Pour all ingredients into mixing bowl and combine with a spoon (help as needed).
2. Place cupcake liners into muffin tin.
3. Spoon crust into bottom of cupcake liners using a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon. Press down on crumbs to form crust using fingers or spoon.
Filling:
2. Help open cream cheese packages and add to mixing bowl. Help to measure ingredients and pour into mixing bowl.
3. Help beat ingredients with stand mixer, with supervision for safe operating of stand mixer.
4. Crack eggs into separate bowl (one at a time to add to filling per recipe) and pour into mixing bowl. Help to operate stand mixer to beat in eggs.
5. Pour in peppermint chips and help stir them in.
6. Help spoon filling into muffin tin, using a 1/2 cup measuring cup can make this task easier.
7. Crush candy canes using bottom of measuring cup.
8. Help top each cheesecake with crushed candy canes.
11. Optional: top each cheesecake with crushed candy canes and colored sugar sprinkles.
Notes:
- To make graham cracker crumbs, you can pulse them in a food processor or you can crush in a plastic bag using the bottom of measuring cup, baking hammer, or even your fists.
- Festive cupcake liners such as candy cane stripped ones add to the festive Christmas cheer.
Suggested Fine Motor Activities:
Recommended supplies: Amazon affiliate links:
- Candy Cane Stripe Cupcake Liners: https://amzn.to/3L4L9ot
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!