These Cheesecake Bites are creamy, rich, and bite-sized versions of your favorite classic cheesecake! They’re perfect for parties, desserts, or a sweet snack whenever you’re craving cheesecake without the need for slicing.
📋 Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 🍪
- 1/4 cup sugar 🍬
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 🧈
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened 🧀
- 1/2 cup sugar 🍬
- 2 large eggs 🥚
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 🌿
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice 🍋
- Optional: fresh berries or fruit topping for garnish 🍓
📝 Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a mini muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease the pan.
2. Make the Crust:
- Prepare the graham cracker crust:
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press into the pan:
- Press about 1 tablespoon of the crust mixture into each mini muffin cup, pressing down firmly to form a solid base.
- Bake the crust:
- Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- Beat the cream cheese:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add eggs and flavoring:
- Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and lemon juice. Mix until well combined and smooth.
4. Fill and Bake:
- Fill the muffin cups:
- Spoon or pipe the cheesecake filling over the pre-baked crusts, filling each cup almost to the top.
- Bake:
- Bake the cheesecake bites for 15-18 minutes, or until the centers are just set. The cheesecakes should still have a slight jiggle in the middle.
5. Cool and Chill:
- Cool:
- Remove the cheesecake bites from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Chill:
- Once cooled, refrigerate the cheesecake bites for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
6. Serve:
- Garnish:
- Top each cheesecake bite with fresh berries, fruit sauce, or a drizzle of chocolate if desired.
- Enjoy:
- Serve these creamy cheesecake bites as a perfect mini-dessert!
⏱️ Preparation Time: 15 minutes
⏱️ Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes
⏱️ Chilling Time: 2 hours
⏱️ Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 24 cheesecake bites
🔥 Calories: Approximately 100-120 kcal per bite
These Cheesecake Bites are creamy, delicious, and perfectly portioned, making them an easy and fun treat for any occasion! 🍰🍓