30 No-Bake Mini Christmas Dessert Cups for Parties

These 30 no-bake mini Christmas dessert cups include peppermint cheesecake cups, gingerbread trifles, chocolate mousse cups and reindeer pudding cups that need no oven and are easy to serve at Christmas parties.

Mini dessert cups are the easiest Christmas dessert for a party. Everyone gets their own portion, there’s no slicing, and none of these need the oven. If you love individual desserts, these individual dessert cups and shooters are all no-bake too.

Most of these can be made a day ahead and kept in the fridge. For a fruity option, these individual strawberry trifle cups are another no-bake favorite.

Here are the dessert cups.

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NO-BAKE MINI CHRISTMAS DESSERT CUPS

🍬 Peppermint and Candy Cane Dessert Cups

Minty, festive cups that taste like Christmas.

1. Double Chocolate Candy Cane No-Bake Cheesecakes

Chocolate cookie crust, chocolate cheesecake filling and crushed candy canes on top. They’re rich, minty and look like they came from a bakery.

Add the crushed candy canes right before serving. They get sticky if they sit on the whipped cream overnight.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• 4 oz semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
• 12 mini clear cups

Instructions:

1. Mix cookie crumbs and butter and press into the bottom of each cup.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Beat the melted chocolate into the cheesecake mixture.
4. Pipe into the cups and chill 3 hours.
5. Top with crushed candy canes before serving.

2. Candy Cane Cheesecake Cups

A pink peppermint cheesecake layered over an Oreo crust. The pink and white color is very Christmas.

Use peppermint extract sparingly. A little goes a long way.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups crushed Oreos
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• Red food coloring
• 1/3 cup crushed candy canes

Instructions:

1. Mix Oreo crumbs and butter and press into cups.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Stir in peppermint extract and a drop of red coloring.
4. Fold in half the crushed candy canes and pipe into the cups.
5. Chill 3 hours and top with the remaining candy canes.

3. No-Bake Peppermint Cheesecake Cups

A creamy white peppermint cheesecake with crushed peppermint candies folded through. It’s cool, light and very easy.

Crush the candies in a zip bag with a rolling pin. A food processor turns them into dust.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
• Whipped cream for topping

Instructions:

1. Mix graham crumbs and butter and press into cups.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Stir in peppermint extract and most of the crushed candy.
4. Spoon into cups and chill 3 hours.
5. Top with whipped cream and the rest of the candy.

4. Peppermint Cheesecake Chocolate Cups

Homemade chocolate cups filled with peppermint cheesecake. The whole cup is edible, so there’s nothing to clean up.

Use silicone mini cupcake molds. The chocolate cups pop out cleanly.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz dark chocolate, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• Crushed candy canes

Instructions:

1. Brush melted chocolate inside mini silicone or foil cups in two coats, chilling 10 minutes between coats, then peel off the liners.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Stir in the peppermint extract.
4. Pipe the filling into the chocolate cups.
5. Top with crushed candy canes and chill 1 hour.

🫚 Gingerbread Dessert Cups

Warm spices in cool, creamy cups.

5. Gingerbread Cheesecake Jars

Gingersnap crust, gingerbread-spiced cheesecake and whipped cream in small jars. It tastes like a gingerbread cookie in cheesecake form.

Add a pinch of black pepper to the spices. It brings out the ginger.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups crushed gingersnaps
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• Mini gingerbread cookies for garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix gingersnap crumbs and butter and press into jars.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Beat molasses and spices into the filling.
4. Spoon into jars and chill 3 hours.
5. Top with whipped cream and a mini gingerbread cookie.

6. Gingerbread Dessert Cups

Layers of crushed gingerbread cookies and spiced whipped cream. They take 15 minutes and taste better after a night in the fridge.

Let them chill overnight. The cookies soften into a cake-like layer.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crushed gingerbread cookies
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Whip cream, powdered sugar, spices and vanilla to stiff peaks.
2. Add a layer of cookie crumbs to each cup.
3. Pipe a layer of whipped cream.
4. Repeat the layers.
5. Chill at least 4 hours and garnish with cookie crumbs.

7. Gingerbread and White Chocolate Mousse Trifle Cups

Gingerbread cake cubes layered with white chocolate mousse. Use store-bought gingerbread cake and it stays fully no-bake.

Melt the white chocolate gently in 20-second bursts. White chocolate seizes easily.

Ingredients:

• 1 store-bought gingerbread loaf, cubed
• 6 oz white chocolate, melted
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• Sugared cranberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. Whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar to soft peaks.
2. Fold the cooled white chocolate into the cream.
3. Layer gingerbread cubes and mousse in cups.
4. Repeat the layers.
5. Chill 2 hours and top with sugared cranberries.

🍰 No-Bake Cheesecake Cups

Easy cheesecake cups with holiday toppings.

8. Classic No-Bake Cheesecake Cups

A simple vanilla cheesecake cup with a graham crust and berries on top. It’s the base recipe you can dress up a dozen ways.

Use full-fat cream cheese. Low-fat won’t set firm.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• 1 cup mixed berries
• Mint leaves

Instructions:

1. Mix graham crumbs and butter and press into cups.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Pipe into cups.
4. Chill 3 hours.
5. Top with berries and mint.

9. Christmas Cheesecake Cups

Vanilla cheesecake cups decorated with red and green sprinkles and a cookie on top. They’re bright, festive and kid-friendly.

Add sprinkles right before serving. They bleed color if they sit too long.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• Red and green sprinkles
• Mini Christmas cookies

Instructions:

1. Press wafer crumbs and butter into cups.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Pipe the filling into cups.
4. Chill 3 hours.
5. Top with sprinkles and a mini cookie.

10. Creamy No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Cups

A silky chocolate cheesecake on an Oreo crust. It’s for the chocolate lovers at the party.

Let the melted chocolate cool to lukewarm before adding. Hot chocolate melts the whipped cream.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups crushed Oreos
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• 6 oz semisweet chocolate, melted
• Chocolate shavings

Instructions:

1. Press Oreo crumbs and butter into cups.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Beat in the cooled melted chocolate.
4. Pipe into cups and chill 3 hours.
5. Top with chocolate shavings.

11. Cherry Topped No-Bake Cheesecake Cups

The creamiest cheesecake cups, topped with a spoonful of cherry pie filling for a bright red finish.

Chill the cherry filling first so it sits neatly on top instead of sliding.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

Instructions:

1. Press graham crumbs and butter into cups.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Pipe the filling into the cups.
4. Chill 3 hours.
5. Top each with cherry pie filling.

12. Individual Cranberry No-Bake Cheesecake Cups

Cheesecake cups topped with a quick cranberry sauce. It’s sweet and tart, and a nice use for leftover cranberry sauce.

Make the cranberry topping a day ahead so it thickens fully.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 1 tsp orange zest

Instructions:

1. Press graham crumbs and butter into cups.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Pipe into cups and chill 3 hours.
4. Stir orange zest into the cranberry sauce.
5. Spoon on top before serving.

13. Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Cups

Crushed sugar cookies form the crust and the topping, with vanilla cheesecake in between. They taste like frosted Christmas cookies.

Use soft bakery sugar cookies. They crumble perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crushed frosted sugar cookies
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• Red and green sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Mix half the cookie crumbs with butter and press into cups.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Pipe the filling into cups.
4. Top with the remaining cookie crumbs and sprinkles.
5. Chill 3 hours.

14. Strawberry Cheesecake Mousse Chocolate Cups

Chocolate cups filled with pink strawberry cheesecake mousse. They look fancy but use only a few ingredients.

Use freeze-dried strawberries ground into powder. It adds strong flavor without making the mousse wet.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz semisweet chocolate, melted
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, ground
• Fresh strawberries

Instructions:

1. Brush melted chocolate inside mini silicone or foil cups in two coats, chilling 10 minutes between coats, then peel off the liners.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and strawberry powder.
3. Whip the cream and fold it in.
4. Pipe into chocolate cups.
5. Top with a fresh strawberry slice and chill 1 hour.

🍫 Chocolate, Mousse and Trifle Cups

Rich chocolate and layered trifle cups.

15. Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cups

Rich chocolate mousse with fresh raspberries layered in. Chocolate and raspberry is a classic Christmas pairing.

Use bittersweet chocolate. It balances the sweet whipped cream.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup raspberries

Instructions:

1. Whip cream, powdered sugar and vanilla to soft peaks.
2. Fold in the cooled melted chocolate.
3. Add raspberries to the bottom of each cup.
4. Pipe mousse over the berries.
5. Chill 2 hours and top with more raspberries.

16. Raspberry Mousse in Chocolate Cups

Pink raspberry mousse piped into homemade chocolate cups. The bright pink looks lovely on a dessert tray.

Strain the raspberry puree to remove the seeds for a smooth mousse.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz dark chocolate, melted
• 1 cup raspberries, pureed and strained
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Brush melted chocolate inside mini silicone or foil cups in two coats, chilling 10 minutes between coats, then peel off the liners.
2. Whip cream and powdered sugar to stiff peaks.
3. Fold in the raspberry puree.
4. Pipe into the chocolate cups.
5. Chill 1 hour and garnish with a raspberry.

17. Chocolate Cups With Strawberry Mousse

Light strawberry mousse inside crisp chocolate shells. They’re like chocolate-dipped strawberries in cup form.

Use ripe, very red strawberries for the best color.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz milk or dark chocolate, melted
• 1 cup strawberries, pureed
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Brush melted chocolate inside mini silicone or foil cups in two coats, chilling 10 minutes between coats, then peel off the liners.
2. Whip the cream and powdered sugar.
3. Fold in the strawberry puree.
4. Pipe into chocolate cups.
5. Chill 1 hour and top with a strawberry slice.

18. Mini Black Forest Dessert Cups

Chocolate cake crumbs, cherries and whipped cream layered in small cups. It’s Black Forest cake flavor without baking.

Use store-bought chocolate cake or brownies for the crumb layer.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chocolate cake or brownie crumbs
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• Chocolate shavings

Instructions:

1. Whip cream and powdered sugar.
2. Add cake crumbs to each cup.
3. Spoon in cherry filling.
4. Top with whipped cream and repeat the layers.
5. Finish with chocolate shavings and a cherry.

19. Christmas Hot Chocolate Cups

Chocolate cups shaped like mini mugs, with pretzel handles and marshmallow ‘cocoa’ on top. They’re adorable and fully edible.

Attach the pretzel handles with a dab of melted chocolate and let them set before filling.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz milk chocolate, melted
• 12 mini pretzel twists, halved
• 1 cup chocolate pudding
• Mini marshmallows
• Sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Brush melted chocolate inside mini silicone or foil cups in two coats, chilling 10 minutes between coats, then peel off the liners.
2. Glue a pretzel half to each cup with melted chocolate.
3. Fill each cup with chocolate pudding.
4. Top with mini marshmallows.
5. Add sprinkles and chill until serving.

20. Easy Chocolate Mousse Cups

A simple two-ingredient style chocolate mousse spooned into mini cups. It’s ready in 10 minutes and tastes rich.

Serve in shot glasses for a dessert shooter look.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz semisweet chocolate, melted
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• Whipped cream and berries for topping

Instructions:

1. Whip the cream and powdered sugar to soft peaks.
2. Fold in the cooled chocolate in two additions.
3. Spoon into mini cups.
4. Chill 2 hours.
5. Top with whipped cream and a berry.

21. Red Velvet Trifle Cups

Red velvet cake cubes with cream cheese whipped cream. The red and white layers are perfect for Christmas.

Buy a red velvet cake from the bakery to keep it no-bake.

Ingredients:

• 1 store-bought red velvet cake, cubed
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
• Red sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
2. Add a layer of cake cubes to each cup.
3. Pipe cream cheese filling on top.
4. Repeat the layers.
5. Top with red sprinkles and chill 1 hour.

22. Red Strawberry Trifle Cups

Pound cake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream in red and white layers. Light, fresh and very easy.

Toss the strawberries with a spoonful of sugar 20 minutes ahead. They release a sweet syrup.

Ingredients:

• 1 store-bought pound cake, cubed
• 2 cups strawberries, diced
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 cups whipped cream
• Mint

Instructions:

1. Toss strawberries with sugar and let sit 20 minutes.
2. Layer cake cubes in each cup.
3. Add strawberries with their juice.
4. Top with whipped cream and repeat.
5. Garnish with mint.

23. Cookies and Cream Dessert Cups

Crushed Oreos and Oreo whipped cream layered in cups. Kids and adults both go for these.

Save a few whole Oreos to stand up in the top of each cup.

Ingredients:

• 24 Oreos, crushed (plus extras for garnish)
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1.5 cups heavy cream, whipped

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
2. Fold in whipped cream and half the Oreo crumbs.
3. Layer Oreo crumbs and cream in cups.
4. Repeat the layers.
5. Top with a mini Oreo and chill.

🦌 Kid-Friendly Christmas Dessert Cups

Reindeer, snowman and pudding cups kids can help make.

24. Reindeer Pudding Cups

Chocolate pudding cups decorated as reindeer with pretzel antlers, candy eyes and a red candy nose. Kids love helping make these.

Add the pretzel antlers right before serving so they stay crunchy.

Ingredients:

• 12 chocolate pudding cups
• 24 mini pretzel twists
• 24 candy eyes
• 12 red candy-coated chocolates
• Whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Top each pudding cup with a little whipped cream.
2. Press two pretzels in as antlers.
3. Add two candy eyes.
4. Place a red candy for the nose.
5. Serve right away.

25. Reindeer Candy Cane Pudding Cups

Pudding cups with candy cane antlers instead of pretzels. They’re sweet, minty and easy to make for a classroom party.

Use mini candy canes so the cups don’t tip over.

Ingredients:

• 12 chocolate pudding cups
• 24 mini candy canes
• 24 candy eyes
• 12 red candies

Instructions:

1. Peel the lids off the pudding cups.
2. Press two candy canes in as antlers.
3. Add the candy eyes.
4. Add a red candy nose.
5. Chill until serving.

26. Rudolph Chocolate Mousse Dessert Cups

Chocolate mousse cups decorated as Rudolph, with a glossy chocolate face and red nose. They’re a step up from pudding cups.

Pipe the mousse to make a smooth dome so the face sits nicely.

Ingredients:

• Chocolate mousse (from item 20)
• 24 mini pretzels
• 24 candy eyes
• 12 red candies

Instructions:

1. Spoon chocolate mousse into small clear cups.
2. Smooth the tops.
3. Add pretzel antlers and candy eyes.
4. Add the red nose.
5. Chill 1 hour.

27. Snowman Pudding Cups

Vanilla pudding in clear cups decorated with a snowman face. They’re a fun kids’ table dessert.

Draw the snowman face on the cup with a food-safe marker, or use candy pieces on the pudding.

Ingredients:

• 12 vanilla pudding cups
• Mini chocolate chips
• Orange candies or sprinkles
• Whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Top each pudding cup with whipped cream.
2. Add two chocolate chip eyes.
3. Add an orange candy nose.
4. Make a smile with mini chocolate chips.
5. Chill until serving.

28. Christmas Pudding Cups

Red and green layers of pudding and whipped cream with sprinkles. They’re quick, colorful and no-fuss.

Tint the pudding with gel food coloring. Liquid coloring makes it runny.

Ingredients:

• 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding
• 4 cups cold milk
• Red and green gel food coloring
• Whipped cream
• Christmas sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Make the pudding and divide into two bowls.
2. Tint one red and one green.
3. Layer red pudding, whipped cream and green pudding in cups.
4. Top with whipped cream.
5. Add sprinkles and chill.

29. Grinch Jello Cups

Green lime jello cups topped with whipped cream and a red candy heart. They’re cheap, fun and kids love them.

Make the jello the night before. It needs at least 4 hours to set.

Ingredients:

• 1 box (6 oz) lime gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 cups cold water
• Whipped cream
• Red heart sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water.
2. Stir in cold water.
3. Pour into small clear cups.
4. Chill 4 hours until set.
5. Top with whipped cream and a heart sprinkle.

30. Layered Christmas Mini Dessert Cups

Red, white and green layers of cake, cream and berries in mini cups. They’re a bright mix that fills out a dessert tray.

Use a piping bag for the cream so each layer stays clean in the clear cups.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crumbled vanilla cake
• 1 cup strawberries, diced
• 2 kiwis, diced
• 2 cups whipped cream
• Christmas sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Layer cake crumbs in the bottom of each cup.
2. Pipe whipped cream.
3. Add diced strawberries.
4. Add more cream and diced kiwi.
5. Top with sprinkles and chill.

Make two or three of these a day ahead, set them on a tray, and the Christmas dessert table is done.