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Perfect Mini Graduation Cheesecake Bites with Festive Gold Caps

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These mini cheesecake bites are quick, easy, and perfect for celebrations. They feature a creamy cheesecake filling on a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with festive edible gold caps resembling graduation hats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full crackers, finely crushed)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • Edible gold dust or gold luster dust
  • Mini chocolate squares or thin chocolate discs
  • Thin licorice strings or black sugar pearls

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar. Pour in melted butter and stir until mixture resembles wet sand.
  3. Press about 1 tablespoon of crust mixture into the bottom of each liner, forming an even 1/4 inch thick layer.
  4. Bake crusts for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
  5. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with 2/3 cup sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  7. Mix in sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and flour gently until smooth.
  8. Pour cheesecake batter evenly over cooled crusts, filling each about 3/4 full.
  9. Bake cheesecakes for 18-22 minutes until edges are set but centers still jiggle slightly.
  10. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
  11. Decorate with festive gold caps by dusting mini chocolate squares with edible gold dust and placing one on each cheesecake bite. Attach a licorice string or black sugar pearl as a tassel.

Notes

Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for smooth batter. Do not overmix after adding eggs to avoid cracks. Prebake crust to prevent sogginess. Watch baking time carefully to keep centers slightly jiggly. Optional water bath can reduce cracks. Apply gold dust gently with a small brush. Chill cheesecakes for at least 3 hours before decorating. For gluten-free crust, substitute graham crackers with almond flour or gluten-free crumbs. For dairy-free, use coconut yogurt and vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: mini cheesecake bites, graduation dessert, gold caps, easy cheesecake, party dessert, bite-sized cheesecake, festive dessert

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/perfect-mini-graduation-cheesecake-bites-recipe-easy-festive-gold-caps-tutorial/