1. What Are White Russian Cheesecake Shots?
Have you ever craved a dessert that’s party-perfect, creamy, and boozy, all in one bite-size treat? Enter the White Russian Cheesecake Shots. These mini dessert cups intertwine the rich, velvety indulgence of cheesecake with the iconic cocktail flavors of a White Russian—vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso—elevating a classic drink into an unforgettable dessert experience.
Picture a luscious swirl of cheesecake mousse, elegantly layered over a chocolate biscuit base, with a whisper of espresso and a hint of cocoa dusting. Each 60 ml shot delivers a bite of boozy decadence. Whether you’re serving up over 20 at your next gathering or just indulging in one (or three)—White Russian Cheesecake Shots are bound to steal the spotlight.
2. Origin of White Russian Cheesecake Shots
While the White Russian cocktail dates back decades—originally a creamy spin on the 1949 Black Russian (vodka + coffee liqueur)—it gained mainstream allure after appearing in The Big Lebowski in 1998. The cheesecake shot version, as seen in Tesco Real Food’s adaptation, reimagines that classic flavor profile with a twist: dessert-style mini cheesecakes in shot glasses.
Though this specific shot dessert seems to have been popularized by Tesco Real Food, it’s part of a broader trend of cocktail-inspired desserts—like White Russian puddings or bars—where flavors of booze, cream, and biscuits come together in novel forms.
3. Ingredients with Quantities
Here’s your ingredient list for the White Russian Cheesecake Shots—perfectly portioned for 20 × 60 ml servings:
For the Chocolate Biscuit Base
- 10 chocolate digestives (or chocolate graham crackers)
- 50 g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp cocoa powder, plus extra for dusting
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 340 g cream cheese
- 150 g mascarpone
- 85 g icing sugar
- 3 tbsp vodka
- 3 tbsp coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
- 1 tsp ground espresso coffee
- 300 ml double cream
Optional for Garnish
- Cocoa powder (extra)
- Coffee beans
4. Step-by-Step Directions & Preparation Method
Let’s break down how to create these elegant White Russian Cheesecake Shots, step by step:
1: Make the Base
- Blitz the chocolate digestives in a food processor until they’re fine crumbs—think “wet sand.”
- Pulse in the melted butter and cocoa powder.
- The mixture should clump slightly but remain crumbly. Set this aside—for later.
2: Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture
- In a spacious bowl, beat together cream cheese and mascarpone until smooth.
- Add icing sugar, vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso powder. Beat until silky and cohesive.
- Pour in double cream, then beat for 2–3 minutes until the mixture is thick, fluffy, and holds its shape.
3: Assemble the Shots
- Spoon a layer of the biscuit base at the bottom of each shot glass (60 ml).
- Pipe or spoon in a layer of the cheesecake mixture.
- For a swirl effect, alternate crumbs and filling or gently swirl with a skewer.
4: Finish and Chill
- Lightly dust the top with cocoa powder.
- Optionally, place a single coffee bean on each shot.
- Chill the shots for up to 12 hours—this lets the flavors meld and the texture set beautifully.
5. Variations of Boozy Cheesecake Shots
Let’s elevate your White Russian Cheesecake Shots game with some flavorful twists:
- Make-Ahead Efficiency: Prepare the base and cheesecake mixture up to 24 hours in advance; assemble 12 hours before serving for convenience.
- Extra Creaminess: Add a splash of Baileys or RumChata to the cheesecake filling for an extra layer of indulgence.
- Presentation Upgrade: Instead of shot glasses, try serving in espresso cups or mini dessert cups for a chic look.
- Flavor Swap: Replace vodka with rum or Irish cream liqueur to create tropical or Irish-style variations.
- Alcohol-Free Option: Substitute vodka and coffee liqueur with equal parts chilled coffee and cream soda—still decadent, but safe for all guests.
- Crunch Factor: Add chopped coffee-flavored chocolate or toffee bits between layers for texture contrast.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About White Russian Cheesecake Shots
Q1: Can I use regular graham crackers instead of chocolate digestives?
Absolutely! Just keep the cocoa powder in the recipe; it adds essential chocolate notes to your base.
Q2: What if I don’t serve alcohol—can I omit the liqueur?
Yes. Swap vodka with milk or cream, and coffee liqueur with strong coffee or a coffee-flavored syrup for a non-alcoholic version.
Q3: How long can I store these in the fridge?
These White Russian Cheesecake Shots can stay chilled for up to 12 hours before serving. Beyond that—and if assembled early—they’ll still be delicious for up to 24 hours, though the base may soften.
Q4: How do I pipe the filling neatly?
Use a piping bag with a round tip, or simply spoon it in and smooth the top with the back of a small spoon—your swirl can be rustic and organic!
Q5: Can I batch-bake this as a cheesecake instead?
Yes—transform it into White Russian Cheesecake Bars by pressing the base into a pan, layering the mixture, and chilling or baking lightly, similar to cheesecake bar recipes.
Q6: How much alcohol does each shot contain?
With 3 tbsp vodka (~45 ml) and 3 tbsp coffee liqueur (~45 ml) distributed across 20 shots, each shot has about 2.25 ml of each—lightly boozy yet perfectly balanced.
7. Conclusion: White Russian Cheesecake Shots
In a world where dessert meets cocktail, White Russian Cheesecake Shots stand out as a show-stopping creation. They fuse the creamy indulgence of cheesecake with the rich, aromatic allure of a White Russian cocktail—vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso—assembled into elegant mini portions that impress at any gathering.
From the crisp chocolate biscuit base to the fluffy, boozy cheesecake filling, every layer delivers depth, smoothness, and a cheeky nod to the classic drink. Whether you’re hosting a festive soirée or just craving a luxe treat for yourself, these White Russian Cheesecake Shots shine. Prepare ahead, serve chilled, and watch them vanish.
Enjoy crafting, indulging, and sharing this absolute crowd-pleaser—every bite is pure, luscious delight.
White Russian Cheesecake Shots: The Ultimate Party Indulgence
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Have you ever craved a dessert that’s party-perfect, creamy, and boozy, all in one bite-size treat? Enter the White Russian Cheesecake Shots. These mini dessert cups intertwine the rich, velvety indulgence of cheesecake with the iconic cocktail flavors of a White Russian—vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso—elevating a classic drink into an unforgettable dessert experience.
Ingredients
- 10 chocolate digestives (or chocolate graham crackers)
- 50g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp cocoa powder, plus extra for dusting
- 340g cream cheese
- 150g mascarpone
- 85g icing sugar
- 3 tbsp vodka
- 3 tbsp coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)
- 1 tsp ground espresso coffee
- 300ml double cream
- Coffee beans, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Base Blitz the chocolate digestives in a food processor until fine. Pulse in melted butter and cocoa powder until the texture resembles wet sand. Set aside.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, mascarpone, icing sugar, vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso powder until smooth. Pour in double cream and beat for 2–3 minutes until thick and fluffy.
- Assemble the Shots Spoon a layer of biscuit crumbs into the bottom of each shot glass. Pipe or spoon in the cheesecake mixture. Repeat to create a swirl effect.
- Finish and Serve Dust with cocoa powder and top with a coffee bean if desired. Chill for up to 12 hours before serving.
Notes
These indulgent cheesecake shots bring the classic flavors of a White Russian cocktail into a creamy, bite-sized dessert. Perfect for parties or after-dinner treats, they’re as fun to serve as they are to eat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 shot
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: High
Keywords: White Russian Cheesecake Shots
