How to Make No-Bake Holiday Cupcakes

Ring in the holidays with festive mini cheesecakes perfect for a party, family reunion, or office bash.

From sweetened fruits to chocolate dreams, the tips behind these simple no-bake treats are easy to follow and a fun experiment for young cooks in the kitchen.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 1/2 cup crushed Oreo cookies
• 1 jar strawberry jam
• 1 can of sugared pecans
• 1 package of Christmas thin mints
• 1 cup of crushed peppermint candy
• 1 large can of cherry pie filling
• 2 Heath candy bars, crushed (or your favorite brand)
• no-bake cheesecake mix OR
• 2 bars of cream cheese
• one bottle of caramel sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 can Eagle brand milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 packages of cupcake foil
• 2 muffin tins (equal to 18-24 muffins)

1. Mix the cheesecake kit according to instructions or combine the ingredients above for homemade no-bake cheesecakes using an electric mixer. The mixture should make approximately eighteen cheesecakes (or twenty-four thin ones, if pressed. Line the muffin tins with cupcake foils based on how many cheesecakes desired.

2. For traditional or classic cheesecakes, spoon the mixture slowly into each muffin tin; for special no-bakes, follow the tips below and stir the ingredients into the mixture before adding to the tins.

3. For a minty Christmas cheesecake, spoon the mixture over the bottom of each cupcake foil, then place a round Christmas thin mint on top. Spoon more cheesecake over the mint, then sprinkle with crushed red and white peppermints. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor.

4. Make chocolatey cupcakes by adding crushed Oreos to the batter and sprinkling an extra bit on top of each cupcake before serving. Or stir crushed candy bars like Heath or another classic choice into the soft cheesecake mixture for a "turtle" cheesecake topped with a drizzle of caramel syrup.

5. Sweet marbleized strawberry cheesecakes are both beautiful and easy to make. Heat strawberry jam in a saucepan and stir until softened to an almost-liquid state. Let cool for a few minutes (still stirring) then spoon a little over each cheesecake and swirl into the individual cups of batter using a toothpick. This creates the "marble" effect of strawberry syrup lacing each cheesecake.

6. Add a touch of class to classic plain cheesecakes by pressing sugared or plain nuts in a pattern on top of each cheesecake. Pecans are a perfect choice, but walnuts and almonds also work. Spoon a little cherry pie filling on top of each cheesecake for a traditional cherry cheesecake in miniature.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of thin mints, cut after-dinner mints to size and press into the center of each Mint Cheesecake.
• Substitute shaved chocolate for crushed Oreos for a "chocolate chip cheesecake" effect.