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These Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Tarts are the perfect holiday treat. They combine the creamy richness of white chocolate with a refreshing peppermint flavor, all nestled in crispy phyllo shells. With minimal effort and a short ingredient list, you can whip up a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for a Christmas party or any special occasion. Trust me, you’ll want to make these every year!
Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Tart Recipe
These mini tarts are a blend of simplicity and elegance. The crunchy phyllo shells pair beautifully with the creamy filling, and the hint of peppermint adds a festive touch. They’re the perfect size for a sweet bite without being too heavy, making them ideal for entertaining. Plus, the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, and the recipe comes together in no time. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking for an easy recipe, these tarts deliver the best results with minimal fuss.
Ingredients Needed for Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Tarts
Here are all of the ingredients you’re going to need to make these mini tarts!
- Mini Phyllo Shells – Pre-made tart shells for a no-bake crust. These can be found in the frozen section of your local grocery store. I used the brand named Athen’s.
- White Chocolate – this starts out the creamy filling. Use white chocolate chips or a chopped bar. You can absolutely use another type of chocolate here if you want.
- Cream Cheese – just a little bit to add creaminess and a bit of tang. Bring to room temperature for a smooth texture.
- Peppermint Extract – half of this is used in the filling and half is used in the whipped cream!
- Heavy Whipping Cream – this starts the whipped cream! For all questions pertaining to homemade whipped cream <– see here!
- Vanilla Extract- this flavors the cream.
- Powdered Sugar – this adds sweetness without weighing the whipped topping down.
- Candy Canes – these are crushed and used as a garnish!
Variations
- Swap the white chocolate for dark chocolate if you prefer a less sweet option.
- Add a splash of coconut oil to the melted chocolate for a silkier consistency.
- Use Cool Whip instead of homemade whipped cream for shortcut.
- Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or drizzle with melted chocolate for extra flair.
- Try this recipe with mini tartlet pans and a homemade pie crust for a baked version.
How to Make Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Tarts
For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here are my step by step directions for making these homemade peppermint tarts:
1. Prep the Phyllo Shells
Arrange 24 mini phyllo tarts on a serving platter and set them aside.
Pro Tip: If you want, you can bake your own tart shells using a mini tart pan or cookie cutter and a simple pie crust. Line with parchment paper and pie weights to prevent puffing, then bake until golden brown. But feel free to take the shortcut I did, any buy the phyllo shells. 😉
2. Make the Filling
In a large bowl, gently melt white chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds. Stir in softened cream cheese and ½ teaspoon peppermint extract until smooth.
Pro Tip: If you’re out of peppermint extract, try crushed peppermint candies dissolved in hot water as a quick alternative.
3. Fill the Tarts
Using a teaspoon, fill each tart to be level with the top of the tart. Refrigerate.
4. Make Whipped Cream
Whip heavy cream together with the remaining ½ teaspoon peppermint extract, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
5. Decorate the Tarts
Place into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe rosettes onto each tart. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane pieces.
6. Chill + Serve
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Storage + Make Ahead Directions
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The phyllo shells may lose some crunch, but the flavor will still be delicious.
To Make Ahead: Assemble the tarts up to a day in advance and store them in the fridge. Add the whipped cream and crushed candy cane topping shortly before serving for the best texture.
To Freeze: You can freeze the filled phyllo shells without the whipped cream topping. Store them in an airtight container with plastic wrap for up to 1 month. Add the whipped cream and candy cane garnish just before serving.
More Cheesecake Recipes to Try!
- Lemon Cheesecake Tart
- The BEST Cheesecake EVER (without the water bath!)
- Chocolate Cheesecake
- Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)
- Vanilla Bean Cheesecake (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)
- No-Bake Cheesecake
These Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Tarts are the perfect holiday dessert, offering creamy filling, crisp shells, and festive peppermint flavor in every bite. Whip up a batch for your next holiday season gathering or special occasion, and watch them disappear faster than you can say “happy holidays”! The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends! 🙂
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Tarts
Ingredients
- 24 mini phyllo shells I used Athen's brand
- 3 oz white chocolate
- 6 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract divided
for the cream-
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 candy cane or 3 peppermint candies, crushed
Instructions
- Arrange 24 mini fillo tarts on serving platter and set aside.
- In a large bowl, gently melt white chocolate in microwave, stirring every 20 seconds.
- Stir in softened cream cheese and ½ teaspoon peppermint extract until smooth.
- Using a teaspoon, fill each tart to be level with the top of the tart. Refrigerate.
for the cream-
- In the same bowl, whip heavy cream together with remaining ½ teaspoon peppermint extract, vanilla extract and powdered sugar.
- Place into piping bag fitted with large star tip. Pipe rosettes onto each tart. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane pieces.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
I made a couple of adjustments to accommodate my sweet tooth. I increased the white chocolate to 6 ounces (equal to the cream cheese,) for the filling, and increased the powdered sugar to 5 tablespoons in the whipped cream. The peppermint still comes through nicely. Delicious and pretty.
This dessert was quick & easy. I was able to do all 30 shells – they are small. You really do need to pipe the whipped cream. Super bite size holiday treat!
I’d like to make these for a party soon but I don’t have a microwave. How would I do stove top?
Double boiler on the stove and it melts slow
Have you tried making these ahead of time and freezing them and just adding the whipped cream when ready to serve?
[…] Mini Peppermint Cream White Chocolate Cheesecake Tarts: Lauren’s Latest […]
Can’t wait to try this, sounds so good!!
How early can you pipe the whipped cream on ?
LOVE your profile! Short and snappy,concise, precise and authentic and fun! Best of success with your foodie adventures!(I’m getting ready to try those peppermint tarts now!)
Seriously, these are amazing. I had to make a second batch because my family ate them all before I even put the candy canes on.
These look absolutely amazing, I can’t wait to make them! (And after the amazing success of your Blueberry Almond Scones, I’m pretty sure my audience will appreciate them too!)
How long will they last in the fridge?
I would love to take them yo a holiday party,
But I need to make them the night before.
They will totally last a day in the fridge! Just make sure you have them covered 🙂
Can you make the mixture and keep it refrigerated for a week before filling the cups?
Maybe not a week, but definitely 3-4 days would be fine.
Where do I buy the shells?
Has anyone tried dark choc instead of the white choc I love dark choc and peppermint and was just hoping someone tried and succeeded in the making of these little wonders
How long will they last in the fridge? Would love to include these on my Christmas cookie gift trays.
I got the site work. I’m going to attemp to make these. Does the Phillo dough not need cooked?
I had the same question so I look and saw they sale them precooked just look http://www.athensfoods.com/product/mini-fillo-shells/up there is an area that you can click the state you live in and it will give you names of the stores they sale these in Hope that helps
Would love to make these but your link is not working. …
Would love to have this recipe for the Mini Peppermint Cream White Chocolate Cheesecake tarts….
I just updated this post and added the recipe below my photos.
The www.athensfood.com site no longer exists.
I just updated this post and added the recipe below my photos.
Have you ever tried making this recipe with dark choc. instead of white choc, love the mixture of dark choc and peppermint ! Was wondering if you or someone ever did try and how they turned out ? Thanks
These are wonderful! The link still works for the recipe if you click where it says “HERE” above 🙂
Cute but too bad the link is no longer working,..
Cannot get the recipe, link is not working….
I just updated this post and added the recipe below my photos.
Cant wait to make these!!!!
These are just gorgeous! I love the little pops of red contrasting against all the white!
Ooo, they looks so good! Love Athens Mini Fillo Shells!
These look divine! Pinned!
They look amazing!
I always stock up on these adorable shells when I see them at Christmas time…now I have something yummy to fill them with. So festive.
These are gorgeous!!
Love these cute little sweets!
Loving these!! They’re too cute!
So pretty and cute, and delicious too, I bet. I love peppermint treats!
These are so elegant! Love this idea for a holiday party!
Adorable!
These little babies are adorable! They look so tasty too 🙂