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Perfect Mini Stars and Stripes Cheesecake Bites

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These mini cheesecake bites are a quick, easy, and festive patriotic dessert perfect for summer celebrations, featuring a buttery crust, creamy filling, and fresh strawberry and blueberry toppings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • Fresh blueberries
  • Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line your mini muffin tin with silicone liners or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs, 5 tablespoons melted butter, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand.
  3. Use about a teaspoon of the crumb mixture per cup. Press firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides to form a thin crust layer. This usually takes about 10 minutes.
  4. Place the tin in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. The crust should be lightly golden and fragrant. Remove and let cool while you prepare the filling.
  5. In a large bowl, beat 16 ounces softened cream cheese with ½ cup sugar until smooth and creamy. Add 1 large egg and beat until fully incorporated. Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt until the batter is silky.
  6. Spoon or pipe the cheesecake filling evenly into the crust-lined muffin cups, filling nearly to the top. This step takes about 10 minutes.
  7. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 15–18 minutes. The centers should be just set with a slight jiggle. Avoid overbaking to keep them creamy.
  8. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to fully set.
  9. Right before serving, arrange thin slices of strawberries in stripes on half of each bite, and place blueberries in clusters on the other half to mimic stars.
  10. Optional: Lightly dust with powdered sugar for a sweet, snowy effect.

Notes

Avoid overbaking to prevent cracking and dryness; the cheesecake should have a slight jiggle when done. Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing. Silicone liners make removal easier and cleanup neater. For gluten-free, substitute graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut yogurt. Fresh berries add a bright, juicy topping; alternatively, use berry compote or drizzle with chocolate for variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: mini cheesecake bites, patriotic dessert, summer dessert, stars and stripes cheesecake, easy cheesecake recipe, Fourth of July dessert, mini cheesecakes

Find it online: https://milacook.com/perfect-mini-stars-and-stripes-cheesecake-bites-easy-patriotic-summer-dessert-recipe/