16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla
1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
Optional: Whipped cream and extra cookie crumbs for garnish
Instructions
Begin by crushing your ginger snap cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a sealed bag and using a rolling pin. In a small bowl, combine the cookie crumbs with the melted butter and stir until the mixture looks like wet sand. Divide the crust mixture evenly among six small dessert glasses or jars, pressing down gently with the back of a spoon to create a solid base. Set these aside while you prepare the filling.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it is completely smooth and free of any lumps. Add the powdered sugar, molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and alcohol-free vanilla. Continue beating the mixture on medium speed until everything is well incorporated and the color is a beautiful, uniform caramel brown. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure no pockets of plain cream cheese remain.
In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat it, as you want the cream to be light and airy. Once the cream is ready, gently fold it into the gingerbread cream cheese mixture using a rubber spatula. Use a slow folding motion to keep as much air in the mixture as possible, which ensures your cheesecake cups are light and fluffy rather than dense.
Spoon or pipe the cheesecake filling into the prepared dessert glasses over the cookie crust. Using a piping bag with a large round tip gives a very clean and professional look, but a spoon works just as well for a rustic feel. Once filled, place the cups in the refrigerator to chill for at least two hours, though four hours is ideal for the flavors to fully meld and the texture to set firmly.
Just before serving, top each cup with a dollop of extra whipped cream. You can also sprinkle a few more ginger snap crumbs on top or even add a tiny gingerbread man cookie for a festive touch. Serve chilled and enjoy the holiday flavors.
