Description
Delight in these Churro Cheesecake Bites, a perfect bite-sized dessert combining a cinnamon cereal crust with a creamy cheesecake filling flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. Easy to make and perfect for sharing or serving at parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups cinnamon cereal, such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch®
- 1/8 cup butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 medium eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Other
- 12 cupcake liners
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a 12-count cupcake tin with cupcake liners and set aside.
- Crush Cereal: Place the cinnamon cereal into a gallon-size resealable plastic bag and reseal. Using a rolling pin, crush the cereal into fine crumbs. Pour the crushed cereal into a medium bowl.
- Make Crust: Pour melted butter over the crushed cereal. Mix thoroughly with a fork or clean hands until the butter is evenly incorporated and the mixture becomes crumbly but sticks together.
- Form Crust in Liners: Spoon a large amount of the cereal mixture into each cupcake liner. Press down firmly to form an even, compact crust layer. Add more mixture as needed until all is evenly distributed.
- Prepare Cheesecake Batter: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese at medium-low speed until fluffy and smooth with no lumps. Gradually add sugar and beat until combined. Mix in sour cream until smooth. Add eggs one at a time mixing completely after each addition. Finally, blend in vanilla extract and ground cinnamon.
- Fill Liners: Carefully pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the crusts in the cupcake liners, filling each about halfway.
- Bake: Place the cupcake tin in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the cheesecake filling is mostly set but still jiggles slightly when the pan is gently shaken.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the cheesecake bites cool for about 15 minutes. Top each bite with a piece of cinnamon cereal for garnish.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cheesecake bites until thoroughly chilled before serving to allow flavors to meld perfectly.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and smoother batter.
- Do not overbake; the cheesecake should be slightly jiggly in the center when done.
- Press the crust firmly for a solid base that holds well when eating.
- These bites chill well and can be refrigerated up to 2 days before serving.
- You can substitute the cinnamon cereal with any crunchy cinnamon-flavored cereal for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Churro Cheesecake Bites, mini cheesecake, cinnamon cereal crust, easy dessert, bite-sized cheesecake
