Santa Hat Crispy-Treat Cheesecake Squares Recipe

This Santa Hat Crispy-Treat Cheesecake Squares Recipe is a festive and adorable recipe, which is made with a crunchy crispy rice cereal base and a smooth no-bake cheesecake layer. It’s the perfect holiday party treat, ready in about 3 hours (including chilling time).

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Santa Hat Crispy-Treat Cheesecake Squares Recipe Ingredients

Cheesecake Squares:

• Cooking spray
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 ounces mini marshmallows (about 1 cup tightly packed)
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (divided: 1/2 tsp for base, 1/2 tsp for filling)
• Kosher salt
• 4 cups crispy rice cereal
• One 1/4-ounce package unflavored powdered gelatin
• Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 25 medium strawberries, hulled

Frosting:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

How To Make Santa Hat Crispy-Treat Cheesecake Squares Recipe

1. Prep the pan: Line a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides for easy removal later. Lightly coat the foil and a wooden spoon with cooking spray.
2. Make the crispy base: In a medium saucepan, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the mini marshmallows, honey, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Stir constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted (4-5 minutes). Remove from heat, add the rice cereal, and stir until fully coated. Press the mixture firmly into an even layer in the prepared pan. Let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to firm up.
3. Prepare the cheesecake batter: In a small microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes to soften (bloom). Meanwhile, beat the 2 packages of cream cheese on medium-high speed until completely smooth. Add the sour cream, 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth.
4. Incorporate the gelatin: Microwave the softened gelatin in 10-second increments until liquid (30-50 seconds total). Pour the liquid gelatin into the cream cheese mixture and beat on medium-high speed until fully incorporated.
5. Chill the layers: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crispy treat base. Spread it out evenly with an offset spatula. Wrap the pan loosely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) until the cheesecake layer is set firm.
6. Make the frosting: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons cream cheese, 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla until smooth and creamy. Transfer this to a piping bag with the corner snipped off (creating a 1/4-inch hole).
7. Assemble the hats: Lift the cheesecake out of the pan using the foil overhang. Cut the slab into twenty-five 1 3/4-inch squares. Pipe a circle of frosting on top of each square (roughly the size of the strawberry base). Place a hulled strawberry, cut side down, onto the frosting circle, pressing gently so the frosting oozes out slightly to create the white “fur” trim of the hat. Pipe a small dot of frosting on the tip of each strawberry for the pom-pom.

Recipe Tips

• Strawberry Selection: Try to select strawberries that are uniform in size so your Santa hats look consistent. Wash and dry them thoroughly; if they are wet, the frosting won’t stick, and the red color might bleed onto the white cheesecake.
• Pressing the Base: When pressing the sticky cereal mixture into the pan, spray your hands or a piece of wax paper with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure a compact, even layer.
• Smooth Cheesecake: Ensure your cream cheese is fully at room temperature before beating. Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy batter that won’t look smooth under the strawberries.
• Gelatin Safety: Do not let the gelatin mixture boil in the microwave, or it will lose its setting power. Just heat it until the granules dissolve.

What To Serve With Santa Hat Crispy-Treat Cheesecake Squares

These are a standalone dessert finger food, perfect for a holiday buffet.

• Hot Cocoa: With marshmallows to match the base.
• Eggnog: A festive classic.
• Sugar Cookies: Offer a variety of textures on the dessert table.
• Peppermint Bark: For a chocolate contrast.

How To Store Santa Hat Crispy-Treat Cheesecake Squares Recipe

• Refrigerate: These must be stored in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese and fresh fruit. Store in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The strawberries will start to weep moisture after that.
• Assembly: For the best presentation, add the strawberries and frosting “hats” within a few hours of serving.
• Do Not Freeze: Freezing is not recommended. Thawing will cause the strawberries to become mushy and the cheesecake layer to weep.

Santa Hat Crispy-Treat Cheesecake Squares Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 350
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Cholesterol: 50mg
• Sodium: 200mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 42g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 28g
• Protein: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated per square.

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