Decadent Cherry Almond Cheesecake Bites
These delightful mini cheesecakes are a scrumptious twist on the classic Black Forest dessert, featuring a rich cream cheese base infused with cocoa and almond flavors. Each bite starts with a buttery vanilla wafer crust, topped with a creamy layer of cheesecake, and finished with a luscious dollop of cherry pie filling. Perfect for parties or special gatherings, these cheesecake bites are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you're hosting a festive event or simply indulging in a sweet treat, these cheesecakes are sure to impress with their elegant presentation and irresistible taste.
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vanilla wafer cookies
18-24 (Use as crust in each muffin cup.)
Cream cheese
2 (8 ounce) packages (Softened for mixing.)
Granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups (To sweeten the cheesecake batter.)
Unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup (For a rich chocolate flavor.)
All-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (To help stabilize the cheesecake.)
Large eggs
3 (At room temperature for easy incorporation.)
Sour cream
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 cup for batter and 2 tablespoons for topping.)
Almond extract
1/2 teaspoon (Adds nutty flavor to the cheesecake.)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (For flavoring the topping.)
Cherry pie filling
1 (21 ounce) can (Chilled for garnishing.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2
Line 18 regular-sized muffin tins with foil baking cups to prevent sogginess.
3
Place one vanilla wafer cookie at the bottom of each muffin cup to create the crust.
4
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
5
Gradually add the granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and all-purpose flour, mixing until well combined and smooth.
6
Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure a light and fluffy texture.
7
Gently fold in the sour cream and almond extract until fully integrated into the batter.
8
Spoon the cheesecake mixture into each prepared muffin tin, filling almost to the top but leaving a little space for rising.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheesecakes are set in the center.
10
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 10 minutes.
11
While the cheesecakes cool, prepare the topping by mixing together the sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.
12
Once the cheesecakes have cooled slightly, spread a heaping teaspoon of the sour cream topping over each one while they are still warm.
13
Allow the cheesecakes to cool in the pans for an additional 30 minutes before transferring them to the refrigerator, where they should chill completely.
14
Just before serving, garnish each cheesecake bite with a dollop of cherry pie filling to add a burst of flavor. Avoid adding the filling too early to prevent sogginess.
15
Store any leftover cheesecake bites in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness.
Nutrition Information
10
Fat
12
Carbs
3
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Cherry Almond Cheesecake Bites?
These are mini cheesecakes featuring a chocolate and almond cream cheese base on a vanilla wafer crust, finished with cherry pie filling.
What is used to create the crust for these cheesecake bites?
A single vanilla wafer cookie is placed at the bottom of each muffin cup to serve as the crust.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or 163 degrees Celsius.
How many muffin tins should be prepared?
The recipe is designed to fill 18 regular-sized muffin tins.
Why are foil baking cups recommended for this recipe?
Foil baking cups are used to help prevent the cheesecake bites from becoming soggy.
How do you prepare the cream cheese for the batter?
The cream cheese should be softened and then beaten until it is smooth, creamy, and completely free of lumps.
What dry ingredients are mixed into the cream cheese?
Gradually mix in granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and all-purpose flour until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
How should the eggs be incorporated into the cheesecake mixture?
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure a light and fluffy texture.
What is the purpose of adding all-purpose flour to the batter?
The flour is included to help stabilize the cheesecake structure during baking.
What flavor extract is added to the cheesecake batter?
Almond extract is gently folded into the batter to provide a distinct nutty flavor.
How much cocoa powder is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder.
How much sour cream is used inside the cheesecake batter?
One cup of sour cream is folded into the batter until it is fully integrated.
How high should I fill the muffin tins with batter?
Spoon the mixture into the tins until they are almost full, leaving just a small amount of space for the cakes to rise.
What is the total baking duration for the cheesecake bites?
The bites should be baked for 20 to 25 minutes.
How can you tell if the cheesecake bites have finished baking?
The cheesecakes are ready when they are set in the center.
How long should the bites cool before applying the first topping?
Remove the pans from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes.
What ingredients make up the sour cream topping?
The topping is made by mixing together sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract.
When should the sour cream topping be applied to the bites?
Spread a heaping teaspoon of the topping over each bite while they are still warm.
How long should the cheesecakes cool after the sour cream topping is added?
Allow them to cool in the pans for an additional 30 minutes before transferring them to the refrigerator.
Where should the cheesecake bites be stored to chill?
They should be placed in the refrigerator to chill completely before serving.
When is the cherry pie filling added to the bites?
Garnish each cheesecake bite with a dollop of cherry pie filling just before you are ready to serve them.
Why should the cherry filling be added just before serving?
Adding the filling too early can cause the cheesecakes to become soggy.
How should leftover cheesecake bites be stored?
Store any leftover bites in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness.
How many calories are in a single cheesecake bite?
Each cheesecake bite contains approximately 150 calories.
What is the fat content of one cheesecake bite?
There are 10 grams of fat in each serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each cheesecake bite contains 12 grams of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content per bite?
There are 3 grams of protein in each cheesecake bite.
What main flavors are infused in the cream cheese base?
The base is infused with cocoa and almond flavors.
What size eggs should be used for this recipe?
The recipe calls for three large eggs at room temperature.
Are these cheesecake bites suitable for events?
Yes, they are described as an elegant presentation and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for parties and gatherings.