Full disclosure: I've never been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, I'm not one for crowds and chaos, but I love the fun that comes with it! The incredible music, beautiful colors, epic parades, and delicious food make for the ultimate southern celebration and, if you're not local, a perfect party theme! And while King Cakes seem to be the most common and traditional Mardi Gras dessert, you know I like to keep things interesting, so I did a bit more digging and discovered milk punch. Milk punch is a rich cocktail similar to an eggnog or a white russian which makes it the perfect flavor for mini Mardi Gras cheesecakes!
Why this recipe works
I've seen a variety of milk punch recipes, but they are all milk-based with booze and nutmeg added. Most often they tend to use bourbon, brandy, or both, but I've also seen recipes that use rum. In this recipe, the cream, vanilla melts, and cream cheese serve in the role of the rich and creamy milk, the nutmeg is added to the crust, and the booze is strong and smooth. They all come together seamlessly in this delicious single serving treat inspired by a traditional southern cocktail.
If you're looking for something other than a King Cake for your Mardi Gras party, these mini spiked cheesecakes will fit the theme perfectly! They're quick and easy to make and make the best Fat Tuesday treat - no springform pan or water bath needed!
Ingredients and notes
Nutmeg - Nutmeg is one of the main flavors in milk punch so it is a necessary ingredient to take these from basic boozy cheesecakes to epic Mardi Gras cheesecakes.
Vanilla Melts - These are fairly flavor neutral, much like milk, and they also melt smoothly and re-solidify to give the cheesecake its structure. You could also melt white chocolate, but it will be much sweeter so I would suggest using vanilla melts if you can get your hands on them.
Cream Cheese - It wouldn't be cheesecake without cream cheese! This Mardi Gras cheesecake recipe does not need sour cream, so the cream cheese is the only source of cheesecake tang!
Bourbon - I prefer bourbon so that's what I wrote into the recipe, but you could also substitute brandy and still have a traditional milk punch flavor. But I am also always an advocate for adjusting ingredients to fit your taste so if you prefer rum, maybe even a spiced rum, or another whiskey, that should also be delicious in this recipe!
How to make this recipe
Crust
Step 1
Combine vanilla wafer crumbs, butter, and nutmeg until the crumbs are fully moistened and the nutmeg is evenly dispersed throughout the mixture.
Step 2
Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the 12 cups of a cupcake tin and bake for 5-7 minutes.
Step 3
Let cool.
Cheesecake
Step 4
Combine the vanilla melts, heavy cream, and bourbon in a double boiler, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
Step 5
Remove from heat and let cool.
Step 6
Beat cream cheese into the bourbon mixture until smooth, and then spoon in to the muffin cups on top of each crust.
Step 7
Chill the mini Mardi Gras cupcakes for at least one hour, but longer is better, to allow them to fully set.
Recipe FAQs
Eggnog is a type of milk punch, but the flavors are quite different. If you prefer an eggnog cheesecake recipe, I have one for you here! But if you like bourbon (or brandy), I highly suggest giving this milk punch cheesecake a try.
In some places milk punch is primarily a Christmas or holiday drink, but it is less seasonal in New Orleans, making it perfect for a Mardi Gras celebration!
Tips & Tricks
- Lining the muffin tin with paper liners is best to prevent sticking. You can also spray them with nonstick spray or coat each cup with butter, but make sure it's well greased or it will be difficult to remove them from the tin.
- If the cream cheese is cold, it may form clumps as you beat it in to the bourbon mixture. It's okay if this happens, it will still taste great! But for a smoother cheesecake, let the cream cheese come to room temperature before adding it in.
Related Recipes
Cafe au Lait Bread Pudding
Mini Eggnog Cheesecakes
No-bake Prosecco Cheesecakes
Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Bites
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📖 Recipe
Mini Milk Punch Mardi Gras Cheesecakes
Equipment
- small mixing bowl
- cupcake pan
- double boiler or a heat-safe bowl that fits over a small saucepan
- Mixer or whisk
Ingredients
Crusts
- 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1 stick butter melted
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
Cheesecakes
- 2 cups vanilla melts
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 2 blocks cream cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F and line a muffin tin with paper liners or spray with nonstick spray.
- Combine all crust ingredients in a small bowl until crumbs are well moistened.
- Divide the crumb mixture between the 12 muffin cups, and press the crumbs into the bottom of the muffin cups.
- Bake crusts for 5-7 minutes. Let cool.
- While the crusts are baking and cooling, combine the vanilla melts, cream, and bourbon in the bowl of a double boiler, stirring frequently until melts are fully melted and mixture is smooth.
- Remove from heat and cool for at least 15-20 minutes.
- Beat in cream cheese until smooth.
- Spoon filling on top of cooled crusts filling the cups most of the way to the top.
- Chill for at least one hour, longer is better.
- Serve chilled and laissez les bons temps rouler!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated so should only be used as an estimate. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
This recipe was originally posted on February 13, 2020, but was republished with new photos, additional information about the recipe, step-by-step instructions, FAQs, and tips and tricks in February of 2022.
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