Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Bites 🍓🍰
Description: These delightful Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Bites combine creamy, smooth cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker or Oreo crust, topped with a sweet and tangy strawberry crunch. Perfectly bite-sized, they’re ideal for parties, special occasions, or just indulging in a sweet treat. Dip them in white chocolate for an extra layer of decadence!
Ingredients:
For the Cheesecake Filling:
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1/2 cup strawberry puree or strawberry jam
For the Crust:
1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers or golden Oreos
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Strawberry Crunch Topping:
1 cup crushed golden Oreos or vanilla wafer cookies
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
3 tbsp melted butter
For Dipping (Optional):
1 1/2 cups white chocolate or candy melts, melted
Directions:
- Prepare the Crust:
Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a mini muffin tin or an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers or golden Oreos with melted butter. Mix until well combined, and press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the mini muffin cups or the baking pan to form the crust. Set aside. - Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
Beat the cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy.
Add the eggs and sour cream: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated. Then, stir in the sour cream, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree (or jam) until well combined. - Bake the Cheesecake:
Pour and bake: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the prepared crust. If using a mini muffin tin, fill each cup about 3/4 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes for mini bites, or 35-40 minutes if using a larger pan. The cheesecake is done when the center is set but slightly jiggly. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. - Prepare the Strawberry Crunch Topping:
Make the topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed golden Oreos, freeze-dried strawberries, and melted butter. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. - Assemble the Cheesecake Bites:
Coat with crunch topping: Once the cheesecake is chilled, remove the cheesecake bites from the muffin tin or cut the larger cheesecake into bite-sized squares. Roll or sprinkle the strawberry crunch topping over each bite, pressing lightly to adhere. - (Optional) Dip in White Chocolate:
Dip in white chocolate: For an extra indulgence, dip each cheesecake bite into melted white chocolate. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to let the chocolate set. - Serve:
Enjoy these fun and delicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Bites, perfect for any occasion! 🍓🍰😋