Cheese
MINI SALTED CARAMEL APPLE STREUSEL CHEESECAKE BITES
- Prep time 15 minutes
- Cook time 25 minutes
- Makes 12 cheesecake bites
Author Notes
These Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites are the epitome of the best dessert treat ever! Not only are these little bites the perfect size, but they come packed with flavor that will leave you reminiscing on a nice slice of apple pie with a crunchy, sweet streusel topping. Let’s not forget the light homemade salted caramel drizzle that adds an even sweeter + salty taste to these cheesecake bites. —Shanika Graham-White
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- Graham Cracker Crust + Streusel Crumble:
-
1 1/2 cups
Graham crackers, chopped (About 10 Graham Crackers)
-
2 tablespoons
organic brown sugar
-
1/4 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
-
3 tablespoons
unsalted butter, melted
-
1/2 cup
all-purpose flour
-
1/4 cup
rolled oats
-
1/4 cup
organic brown sugar + 2 Tbsps
-
1/4 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
-
1/8 teaspoon
ground ginger
-
1 pinch
sea salt
-
1/4 cup
unsalted butter, cold + cubed
- Cheesecake + Filling:
-
12 ounces
organic cream cheese (That's 1 1/2 packs!)
-
1/2 cup
pure cane sugar
-
3 tablespoons
organic all-purpose flour
-
1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
-
2
large eggs, room temperature
-
1/4 cup
plain greek yogurt
-
2-3
medium granny smith apples, peeled + diced
-
2 teaspoons
lemon juice
Directions
- Graham Cracker Crust + Streusel Crumble:
- Place all crust ingredients in a medium bowl and crush everything together until in small crumbles. Spoon 1 Tbsp of crust ingredients into the bottoms of each cupcake liner and press firmly with fingers until even and flat. Set aside.
- Streusel Crumble: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and sea salt. Add in the cold butter and using your fingers, rub the butter into the dry ingredients until it turns into small crumbles. Set aside.
- Cheesecake + Filling:
- Toss together the diced apples in lemon juice and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix together on low speed: the cream cheese, pure cane sugar, and flour until combined. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl if needed.
- Next, add the vanilla extract and the first egg and beat slowly until mostly combined. Then add the remaining egg and mix until well combined, still mixing everything on low speed. Next, add the greek yogurt and a pinch of cinnamon (I always love taking flavor to another level).
- Add a small amount of filling to each cupcake liner (about 2 Tbsps), repeating until all batter is used.
- Evenly top the cheesecake filling with diced apples and then the streusel crumble (See Recipe Notes), ensuring that topping is well packed within the cupcake cavity.
- Bake the cheesecakes for 20-25 minutes, then turn off the oven and allow them to sit in the oven for another 5 minutes with the oven door halfway open to avoid cheesecakes from deflating. **NOTE: When baking, I always prepare a medium pot with water and add it to the oven as well, to keep cheesecake temperature even and to add moisture.**
- Remove cheesecakes from the oven and allow them to continue to cool for another 15-20 minutes, before putting them in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Once cooled, drizzle with homemade salted caramel sauce and enjoy!
- Bon Appetite!
Content Creator and Recipe Developer, Shanika, is part kitchen ninja and connoisseur of interior decorating, hence her passion for beautifully staged food photos and videos. On her site, Orchids and Sweet Tea, you will find traditional dishes using organic ingredients as well as dairy free, gluten free, and vegan versions of your old and new favorites!
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