Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bites
These bite-sized treats combine creamy cheesecake, tart apples, and gooey caramel in a mini graham cracker crust. Perfect for parties, holidays, or a fun baking project, they’re easy to make, portable, and always a crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuits)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 small tart apple (Granny Smith recommended), peeled, cored, and finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Sea salt flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan or line with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter until combined and sandy. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of mixture into each muffin cup and press firmly to form a base. Bake crusts for 5 minutes, then set aside.
- In a small bowl, toss diced apple with brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Add egg, vanilla, and salt; blend until creamy and lump-free. (Add 1 tablespoon milk if mixture is too thick.) Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling over each crust, smoothing tops gently.
- Sprinkle a few pieces of the apple mixture over each cheesecake bite and press lightly.
- Bake in preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, until centers are just set and barely jiggle. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to finish cooling.
- Once cool, drizzle about 1/2 teaspoon caramel sauce over each bite. Sprinkle with nuts and sea salt if desired.
- Chill bites in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth filling. Chill bites before serving for best texture. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage. For gluten-free, use gluten-free graham crackers. Nuts and sea salt are optional toppings. If caramel is thick, microwave briefly to loosen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 11
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 2
Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bites, mini cheesecake, party dessert, fall dessert, apple caramel, bite-sized treats, easy cheesecake, holiday dessert