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No-Bake Gingerbread Cheesecake Cups

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These individual no-bake gingerbread cheesecake cups deliver all the cozy, festive flavor of classic gingerbread dessert without any baking stress. With a spiced gingersnap crust and impossibly smooth cream cheese mascarpone filling, they’re the perfect make-ahead holiday treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Crust:
  • 1 ½ cups gingersnap cookie crumbs (about 25-30 cookies)
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • For the Gingerbread Cheesecake Filling:
  • 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, completely softened to room temperature
  • 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
  • ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¼ cup unsulphured molasses
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
  • Pinch of fine sea salt
  • 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
  • For Garnish (Optional):
  • Sweetened whipped cream
  • Crushed gingersnaps
  • A dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crust: Add gingersnap cookies to a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form. Alternatively, place in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin.
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together gingersnap crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until mixture resembles wet sand.
  3. Divide mixture evenly between 8-10 small cups or dessert glasses. Press firmly into the bottom to create a compact, even layer. Refrigerate while making filling.
  4. Make the Filling: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and mascarpone with an electric mixer until completely smooth and lump-free.
  5. Beat in sifted powdered sugar, molasses, vanilla extract, all spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves), and salt until fully incorporated and smooth.
  6. In a separate clean, cold bowl, whip heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
  7. Gently fold whipped cream into the gingerbread cheese mixture in two or three additions, maintaining the airy texture.
  8. Assemble: Remove cups from refrigerator. Spoon or pipe gingerbread cheesecake filling over chilled crusts, smoothing the tops.
  9. Cover cups with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, to set fully.
  10. Before serving, garnish with whipped cream, crushed gingersnaps, or a dusting of cinnamon if desired.

Notes

For best results, ensure cream cheese and mascarpone are truly at room temperature to prevent lumps. Use unsulphured molasses for best flavor. Can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 4 days. Not recommended for freezing.

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