Irresistible Mini Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bites

Okay, you guys, get ready. Because these Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites? They’re basically pure joy in every single bite. Seriously, if there’s one dessert that always makes people go absolutely wild at parties or even just for a cozy night in, it’s these little guys. What I love most is that perfect little trifecta of creamy cheesecake, that sweet-tart apple situation with just a hint of salty caramel, and then BAM! That crunch from the streusel topping. My sister’s been asking me to make these for her book club for ages, and it’s always the first thing to disappear from the dessert table. They’re just too good to resist!

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Why You’ll Love These Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites

These little bites of heaven are just fantastic for so many reasons! Seriously, they hit all the right notes. Here’s why you’ll be making them again and again:

Ingredients for Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites

Alright, let’s get down to the good stuff! To make these dreamy little cheesecake bites, you’ll need a few things. Don’t worry, they’re all pretty standard pantry staples, or at least easy to grab from the store.

First up, for that yummy base:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Then, for the star of the show, the smooth cheesecake filling:

• 16 ounces cream cheese, make sure it’s super soft!
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Now for that delightful apple and caramel layer:

• 1 cup chopped apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji are my go-to!)
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce (the good stuff!)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

And finally, for the irresistible crunchy streusel topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into little pieces

Seriously, just looking at this list makes me want to bake!

Essential Equipment for Your Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites

Okay, so to make these awesome little bites, you don’t need anything too fancy! Just the basics. You’ll definitely want a mini muffin tin– the paper liners are a lifesaver for cleanup! A couple of mixing bowls, some measuring cups and spoons, and a whisk or electric mixer will do the trick. Oh, and don’t forget a good old-fashioned wooden spoon or spatula for mixing. Easy peasy!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites

Alright, let’s get these babies made! It’s actually a lot simpler than you might think, and honestly, it’s kind of fun. Just follow along, and soon you’ll have a whole batch of these little treasures.

Preparing the Crust

First things first, let’s get that yummy crust ready. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) – that’s super important! Line your mini muffin tin with paper liners, because nobody wants sticky fingers and a muffin tin that looks like it went through a mud fight. In a small bowl, just mix up those graham cracker crumbs, a bit of sugar, and the melted butter. Give it a good stir until it all comes together. Then, take about a tablespoon of this mixture and smoosh it down firmly into the bottom of each liner. Pop that into the oven for just 5 minutes to set it up. Easy!

Crafting the Creamy Cheesecake Filling

Now for the magic part – the cheesecake filling! Make sure your cream cheese is really soft, okay? Like, leave it on the counter for an hour or two soft. This is key to getting a super smooth filling with no lumps. In a big bowl, beat that softened cream cheese with the other 3/4 cup of sugar until it’s all smooth and dreamy. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time. Don’t go crazy here, just until they’re combined. Finally, stir in that pure vanilla extract. Smell that already? Yum!

Assembling the Apple Streusel Layers

Time for the flavorful surprise! In a separate little bowl, mix up your chopped apples (I love using Honeycrisp or Fuji for a bit of tartness!), that luscious caramel sauce, and a pinch of salt. This layer is what makes these so special! Now, carefully spoon a little bit of this apple mixture right on top of that baked graham cracker crust in each muffin liner. Just a teaspoon or so. Then, spoon the creamy cheesecake mixture over the apples, filling each liner about two-thirds full. They’ll puff up a little when they bake, so we don’t want them overflowing!

Creating the Streusel Topping

Okay, for that glorious crunchy topping! Grab another small bowl. Toss in your flour and brown sugar. Now, cut in that cold butter. You can use your fingertips to rub it in, or a pastry blender if you have one. Keep going until it looks like coarse crumbs – you know, little sandy bits. This adds that perfect textural contrast to the creamy cheesecake. Sprinkle this yummy streusel topping evenly over everything in each muffin liner. Don’t pack it down, just sprinkle it on!

Baking and Cooling Your Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites

Into the oven they go! Bake them for about 18 to 20 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges look set, but the centers are still just a little bit jiggly. That’s totally normal for cheesecake! Let them cool down in the muffin tin for about 10 minutes – this helps them firm up. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. And here’s the super important part: pop them in the fridge for at least 2 hours to chill. This is non-negotiable for that perfect cheesecake firmness! I sometimes even leave them overnight. You can check out my other no-bake cake recipes for more easy dessert ideas while you wait!

Tips for Perfect Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites

You know, making these little cheesecake bites is pretty forgiving, but there are a few little tricks I’ve learned that really make them shine. First off, that cream cheese MUST be super soft. I can’t stress this enough! If it’s cold, you’ll get lumps, and no one wants lumpy cheesecake, right? Also, don’t overmix the cheesecake filling after you add the eggs. Just mix until it’s combined; too much air can cause cracks. And be patient with the chilling time – that’s crucial for getting that perfect, firm texture. Seriously, resist the urge to dig in too soon; the wait is worth it!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

A few little notes on ingredients to make these just perfect. If you can’t find graham crackers, digestive biscuits or even vanilla wafers work wonderfully for the crust! For the apples, honestly, any firm apple that holds its shape when baked is great – I just love Honeycrisp or Fuji for that slight tartness. And if you’re feeling adventurous and want an extra flavor kick, a tiny pinch of cinnamon in the streusel topping is divine!

Serving and Storage Instructions

These little bites are truly best served chilled! I like to take them straight from the fridge. If you want to go the extra mile, a little extra drizzle of caramel sauce over the top right before serving is heavenly. For storing leftovers, just pop them into an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay wonderfully fresh for about 3 days. Honestly, though, I’ve never had them last that long! You can find more decadent dessert ideas here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some things people often ask me about these little cheesecake wonders:

Can I make these Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites ahead of time?

Oh, absolutely! That’s one of the best things about them. You can totally make these a day or two in advance. Just keep them chilled in an airtight container in the fridge. Honestly, they’re even better after sitting for a bit, as the flavors meld together. Just remember to take them out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before you plan to serve them so they aren’t rock hard.

What kind of apples work best for the filling?

Great question! I’ve found that using apples that hold their shape well when baked is key. My favorites are Honeycrisp or Fuji because they have a nice balance of sweetness and tartness, and they don’t turn mushy. Granny Smith would also work if you like a tarter flavor, but you might want to make sure your caramel sauce is a bit sweeter. Just dice them up small!

My crust sometimes falls apart. How do I prevent that?

Ah, the crust struggle! The big secret is pressing it down really, really firmly into the liners. You want it to be compact. Also, giving it that little pre-bake for 5 minutes helps set it up before the wet ingredients go in. Make sure you’re using enough butter to bind the crumbs together. And don’t be shy about pressing it! A good, firm press makes all the difference.

Can I use store-bought streusel topping?

You know what? If you’re in a real pinch for time, yes, you totally can use store-bought streusel! It won’t be quite as fresh-tasting as homemade, but it will still give you that lovely crunchy texture. Just sprinkle it on top before baking. My homemade version is pretty quick though, so don’t be afraid to give it a try!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Okay, so giving you exact numbers is tricky because every ingredient batch can be a little different, but here’s a ballpark for you. Each of these little cheesecake bites probably has around 150 calories. You’re looking at about 9g of fat, 16g of carbs, and 2g of protein per bite. Remember, this is just an estimate, and it can change based on the specific ingredients you use, especially the caramel sauce! For more on sweetness, you might find my thoughts on fruit’s sugar content interesting.

Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites

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• Author: ferecipe.com
• Total Time: 50 min
• Yield: 24 bites 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Bite-sized cheesecakes with a salted caramel apple filling and a crunchy streusel topping.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped apples
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 6 tablespoons melted butter. Press about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each muffin liner. Bake for 5 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
4. In a separate small bowl, combine chopped apples, caramel sauce, and salt.
5. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the apple mixture over the graham cracker crust in each muffin liner.
6. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the apple filling, filling each liner about two-thirds full.
7. In another small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup cold butter. Use your fingers or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the cream cheese mixture in each muffin liner.
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are almost set.
10. Let the cheesecakes cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Chill the cheesecake bites in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

• For a stronger caramel flavor, drizzle extra caramel sauce over the cooled cheesecake bites before serving.
• You can use pre-made streusel topping if you are short on time.
• Ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in your cheesecake filling.

• Prep Time: 25 min
• Cook Time: 25 min
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bite
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 80mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: mini cheesecake, salted caramel, apple, streusel, dessert, bite-sized, no-bake crust, easy dessert