Introduction

Snow Globe Cheesecake Bites are a charming and festive treat perfect for winter celebrations. These mini cheesecakes feature a crisp cookie crust, creamy filling, and a delicate gelatin dome enclosing adorable fondant snowmen for a magical snow globe effect.

The image shows small round desserts with three layers. The bottom layer is a crumbly golden-brown crust. Above that is a smooth, creamy white layer. On top, there is a swirl of white whipped cream decorated with shiny red balls and a small white star-shaped topper dusted with powdered sugar. Each dessert is covered with a clear dome-shaped lid. The desserts are placed on a wooden surface sprinkled with powdered sugar, and the background is softly blurred with warm lights. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafer cookies
3 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 tbsp sour cream
Clear gelatin sheets or powder (prepared according to package instructions to make domes)
Fondant (white, orange, and black for snowmen)
Edible glitter or sugar crystals (optional, for snow effect)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a mini muffin tin with paper liners. In a bowl, mix crushed cookies, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons sugar until combined. Press about 1 teaspoon of the mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup. Bake for 5 minutes, then let them cool completely.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and ⅓ cup sugar until smooth. Add vanilla extract, sour cream, and egg, mixing until just combined. Spoon the filling over the crusts, filling each cup about ¾ full. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the centers are set. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill.
Step 3: Prepare the clear gelatin domes according to the package instructions. Use silicone half-sphere molds to shape the domes and let them set completely.
Step 4: Roll white fondant into small balls to form the snowmen’s bodies and heads. Add black fondant for eyes and buttons, and orange fondant for carrot noses. Decorate as desired and set aside.
Step 5: Gently remove the mini cheesecakes from the muffin tin. Place a fondant snowman on top of each cheesecake. Sprinkle a tiny amount of edible glitter or sugar crystals around the snowman to mimic snow. Carefully cover each cheesecake with a gelatin dome, ensuring the snowman is enclosed within.

Tips & Variations

For a stronger cookie crust, use vanilla wafer cookies instead of graham crackers.
Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier filling.
Use flavored gelatin (like clear berry) for a subtle tint in the domes.
Create other festive figures with fondant, such as tiny trees or stars, for variety.

Storage

Store the assembled cheesecake bites in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Remove the gelatin domes before reheating the cheesecake to avoid melting. The cheesecake itself can be gently warmed, but these bites taste best chilled.

How to Serve

A round cookie base topped with a thick layer of white frosting is shown under a clear plastic dome. Inside the dome, there is a small Santa Claus decoration, a green and red gift box, and a candy cane, all surrounded by white pearl-like sprinkles that also spill out onto the white plate beneath. Additional cookies with similar frosting, decorations, and clear domes are visible in the background on a white marbled surface. The scene includes a small white dish with extra white pearl sprinkles and candy cane pieces scattered around, giving a festive and neat impression. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these without gelatin?

The gelatin domes are key for the snow globe effect, so skipping them will change the presentation. You can enjoy the cheesecake bites without the domes as mini cheesecakes, or try a clear sugar glaze as an alternative, though it won’t create the same dome shape.

How do I soften cream cheese quickly?

To soften cream cheese quickly, leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using. Alternatively, microwave it in short 10-second bursts, checking frequently to avoid melting.

Snow Globe Cheesecake Bites with Cookie Crust Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 65 reviews

These Snow Globe Cheesecake Bites combine a delicious cookie crust base with a creamy cheesecake filling, topped with adorable fondant snowmen and enclosed in shimmering gelatin domes that mimic a snow globe. Perfect for festive gatherings or a charming dessert treat, this recipe offers a delightful blend of textures and decorative flair.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 12 mini cheesecake bites 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Crust

1 cup crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafer cookies
3 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
2 tbsp granulated sugar

Cheesecake Filling

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 tbsp sour cream

Gelatin Domes

Clear gelatin sheets or powder (prepared according to package instructions to make domes)

Decorations

Fondant (white, orange, and black for snowmen)
Edible glitter or sugar crystals (optional, for snow effect)

Instructions

Prepare the Cookie Crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a mini muffin tin with paper liners. In a bowl, mix the crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers with melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Press about 1 teaspoon of this mixture firmly into the bottom of each muffin cup to form the crust. Bake the crusts for 5 minutes, then remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract, sour cream, and egg, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing. Spoon the filling over each cooled crust, filling about ¾ of the way full. Bake the cheesecakes for 15-18 minutes until the centers are set but still slightly jiggly. Let them cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill and firm up.
Create the Gelatin Domes: Prepare the clear gelatin according to the package instructions, making sure it is clear and fully set. Pour or spoon the gelatin into silicone half-sphere molds shaped to cover each cheesecake bite and let the domes set completely in the refrigerator until firm.
Make the Fondant Snowmen: Roll white fondant into small balls to form the snowmen’s bodies and heads. Use small pieces of black fondant to create eyes and buttons, and orange fondant to fashion carrot-shaped noses. Assemble and decorate each snowman carefully, then set them aside to firm.
Assemble the Snow Globe Cheesecake Bites: Gently remove the chilled cheesecakes from the muffin tin and paper liners. Place a fondant snowman securely on top of each cheesecake. Sprinkle a small amount of edible glitter or sugar crystals around the snowman to emulate falling snow. Finally, carefully place a gelatin dome over each cheesecake, enclosing the snowman and snow effect inside the ‘snow globe.’ Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Notes

Use silicone half-sphere molds for creating clear gelatin domes as they are easy to unmold and food-safe.
Prepare the gelatin domes a day ahead so they have ample time to set thoroughly.
Fondant decorations can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container to dry.
For best results, chill the cheesecakes thoroughly before assembling to help support the gelatin dome.
Handle gelatin domes carefully as they can be fragile and sensitive to heat.

Keywords: snow globe cheesecake bites, mini cheesecakes, gelatin domes, fondant snowmen, holiday dessert, festive cheesecake, cookie crust cheesecake