Description
Delightful cherry cheesecake pie bites bring sweet sophistication to dessert tables with minimal effort. Small pastry parcels packed with creamy cheesecake and luscious cherry filling will charm guests and satisfy serious dessert cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cream cheese
- 1 cup fresh cherries
- 0.5 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 0.25 cup butter
Binding and Sweetening Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 0.5 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Finishing Ingredients:
- 0.25 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp cherry preserves
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a mini muffin tin by lightly greasing each cavity with butter or cooking spray.
- Pulse graham cracker crumbs with melted butter in a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse sand, creating a uniform base texture.
- Press the graham cracker mixture firmly into the bottom of each mini muffin cavity, creating a compact foundation for the cheesecake bites.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Incorporate sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and flour into the cream cheese, blending until the mixture becomes silky and well-integrated.
- Gently fold chopped fresh cherries into the cheesecake batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Carefully spoon the cheesecake batter over the graham cracker crust in each muffin cavity, filling them approximately three-quarters full.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the centers are just set and the edges appear slightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow the mini cheesecakes to cool completely in the tin for about 30 minutes.
- Carefully remove the bites from the tin and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth.
- Drizzle each bite with cherry preserves and the lemon glaze.
- Optionally, garnish with a small fresh mint leaf for an elegant touch.
- Serve chilled and enjoy these delectable miniature desserts.
Notes
- Make sure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing and better blending with other ingredients.
- Use fresh, ripe cherries for the most vibrant flavor and natural sweetness in the cheesecake bites.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent air bubbles and ensure a dense, creamy texture in the final product.
- Line the mini muffin tin with parchment paper strips for easier removal of the delicate cheesecake bites.
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for a celiac-friendly version.
- Reduce sugar content by using a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-calorie dessert option.
- Experiment with different fruit variations like blueberries or raspberries for unique flavor combinations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 178
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg