Description
Festive Christmas Little Debbie Tree Cheesecake delights holiday gatherings with its nostalgic charm and sweet, creamy layers. Seasonal dessert lovers will savor this whimsical treat that brings childhood memories and winter magic to the dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese (softened)
- 6 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (180 grams) vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Topping and Additional Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) white chocolate, chopped
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (60 grams) sour cream (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Green sprinkles
- Red icing (for decorating stripes)
Instructions
- Prepare the foundational layer by blending cookie crumbs with melted butter until thoroughly incorporated. Compress the mixture evenly into the base of a springform pan, creating a compact, uniform crust. Refrigerate briefly to solidify while assembling the subsequent components.
- Whip cream cheese until velvety and uniform, gradually integrating sugar, vanilla extract, and sour cream. Incorporate eggs methodically, using low-speed mixing to prevent excessive air incorporation. Delicately fold chopped Little Debbie cakes into the silky batter, ensuring even distribution of cake fragments.
- Carefully transfer half the cheesecake mixture into the chilled crust. Strategically position two whole Little Debbie cakes across the initial layer, then generously cover with remaining batter. Gently tap the pan to eliminate potential air pockets and ensure smooth texture.
- Position the cheesecake within a water bath, then bake at moderate temperature. Monitor for precise doneness: edges should appear set while center maintains a subtle wobble. Once baking completes, deactivate oven, partially open door, and allow gradual cooling for approximately one hour.
- After initial cooling, transfer cheesecake to refrigerator and chill thoroughly for minimum five hours, enabling complete structural stabilization.
- Create decorative topping by melting white chocolate with cream, stirring until achieving glossy, seamless consistency. Generously spread ganache across chilled cheesecake surface. Embellish with emerald-toned sanding sugar and festive crimson icing stripes, mimicking classic Christmas tree aesthetics.
Notes
- Swap Little Debbie cakes for gluten-free or homemade tree cakes to accommodate dietary restrictions and personal preferences.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter and prevent cracking during baking.
- Create a water bath by placing the springform pan inside a larger pan filled with hot water to promote even baking and prevent surface cracks.
- Minimize mixing time when adding eggs to prevent incorporating too much air, which can cause the cheesecake to rise and fall, creating potential cracks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg