Here’s a recipe for Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Bites! These mini cheesecake bites have a creamy strawberry-flavored filling, a graham cracker crust, and a delicious strawberry crunch topping inspired by classic strawberry shortcake ice cream bars.
Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Bites Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 8-10 graham crackers)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam or strawberry puree
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
For the Strawberry Crunch Topping:
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed (or strawberry-flavored gelatin mix for a classic crunch bar look)
- 1 cup vanilla sandwich cookies, crushed (like Golden Oreos)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until well combined.
- Line a mini muffin tin with mini cupcake liners or use a regular muffin tin with liners for larger bites.
- Press a small amount of the crust mixture into each liner, pressing down firmly. Set aside.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the vanilla extract, sour cream, and strawberry jam or puree, mixing until fully combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined after each addition (do not overmix).
- Pour the cheesecake filling over each crust, filling each liner about ¾ of the way full.
3. Bake the Cheesecake Bites:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes for mini bites or 20-25 minutes for larger bites, until the centers are just set.
- Let them cool in the pan, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.
4. Make the Strawberry Crunch Topping:
- In a medium bowl, mix the crushed freeze-dried strawberries and crushed vanilla sandwich cookies. Add the melted butter and mix until well combined.
- Spread the mixture out on a baking sheet and let it dry for a few minutes to make it crumbly.
5. Assemble the Cheesecake Bites:
- Once the cheesecake bites are fully chilled, sprinkle a generous amount of the strawberry crunch topping over each one, gently pressing it onto the cheesecake to help it stick.
- Remove the liners if desired, and serve chilled.
Recipe Notes:
- Flavor Variations: For a lemon twist, add a bit of lemon zest to the filling.
- Freezing Option: These cheesecake bites freeze well! Freeze them without the crunch topping, then thaw and add the topping before serving.
- Alternative Topping: Use strawberry-flavored gelatin mixed with crushed cookies for a classic, crunchy topping.
These Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Bites are creamy, fruity, and perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the sweet crunch and creamy strawberry flavor!