If you’ve ever found yourself swooning over red velvet cake and creamy cheesecake, prepare to fall head over heels for these Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites. Each mini bite is the perfect marriage of luscious, cocoa-kissed red velvet and tangy, silky cheesecake—making them dangerously irresistible and absolutely ideal for sharing (or maybe not!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Two Classic Desserts in One: You get all the flavor of decadent red velvet cake and creamy cheesecake in every single bite.
- Crowd-Pleasing & Shareable: These mini treats are endlessly poppable for parties, holiday trays, or cozy nights in.
- Eye-Catching & Festive: That bold red hue with a creamy cheesecake center is a showstopper for gatherings and gifting.
- Easy to Make Ahead: These bites taste even better after chilling, making them perfect for prepping in advance.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple pantry staples and a handful of fridge essentials come together for Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites—no fancy tricks required! Each ingredient has a mission, from the vibrant red coloring to the luscious cream cheese filling.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the lovely red velvet base and keeps the bites light and cakey.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds that subtle chocolate note signature to true red velvet recipes.
- Salted sweet cream butter (melted & cooled): The base for rich flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the red velvet and cheesecake layers without overpowering.
- Red gel food color: For show-stopping, vibrant ruby color—gel is best for intensity without adding liquid.
- Pure vanilla extract: Brings warmth to both the batter and the cheesecake filling.
- Large eggs (room temperature & beaten): Ensures lift and binds the batter smoothly.
- Cream cheese (softened): The undeniable star of the cheesecake layer, making the bites tangy and creamy.
- Egg yolk: Adds a touch of richness and helps the cheesecake set perfectly.
Variations
Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites can easily fit your craving or accommodate dietary needs—a few little tweaks and you can create your own signature version! Don’t be afraid to have fun and play with flavors, colors, or toppings.
- Chocolate Chip Surprise: Fold mini chocolate chips into the cheesecake filling for pockets of melty chocolate.
- Gluten-Free Swap: Substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose blend for the flour—no one will guess the difference!
- Festive Fun: Switch the food coloring for green at Christmas or a swirl of pink for Valentine’s Day!
- Nuts About Texture: Top the bites with chopped pecans or walnuts before baking for extra crunch.
How to Make Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites.
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and giving your mini muffin pan a generous spray of nonstick cooking spray. This guarantees easy release and perfect bite-sized treats every time.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk the all-purpose flour and unsweetened cocoa powder together in a small bowl. This helps distribute the cocoa evenly, ensuring every bite comes with that signature, subtle hint of chocolate.
Step 3: Make the Red Velvet Base
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted (and cooled!) butter, granulated sugar, red gel food coloring, vanilla, and beaten eggs. Whisk until the mixture is beautifully unified and vibrantly red.
Step 4: Add the Dry to the Wet
Stir your flour-cocoa mixture into the red velvet base, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing so the bites stay tender and moist.
Step 5: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
Use a hand mixer to beat softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, then blend in sugar and vanilla until fully incorporated. Add the egg yolk and mix just until the color is uniform—don’t overmix at this stage.
Step 6: Fill the Muffin Tins
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the red velvet base into each mini muffin cup. Next, fill a disposable piping bag or ziplock bag with the cheesecake filling, snip off a corner, and pipe about 2 teaspoons directly into the center of the red velvet bases.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the bites for 8-9 minutes—they’ll puff up slightly. Remove from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. This helps set the cheesecake center and makes them easy to handle.
Pro Tips for Making Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature for a perfectly smooth and lump-free cheesecake filling.
- Don’t Overbake: Remove the bites when the cheesecake looks just set—they’ll continue to set as they cool, ensuring a creamy center.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel color creates that iconic vibrant look without thinning out your batter, so skip the liquid drops for picture-perfect bites.
- Pipe with Precision: A piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped makes filling the bites fast, mess-free, and gives that classic cheesecake swirl in the center.
How to Serve Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites.
Garnishes
Dress up your Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites with a dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of cocoa, or a drizzle of melted white chocolate. For extra flair, a few red or white sprinkles look absolutely adorable for holidays or special occasions!
Side Dishes
These bites are perfect solo, but if you want to create a dessert platter, pair them with fresh berries, chocolate-dipped fruit, or a bowl of vanilla ice cream for a true sweet tooth celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, nestle the bites into mini cupcake liners or arrange them artfully on a tiered stand. If you’re gifting, tuck them into a decorative box with a festive ribbon—they’re as pretty as they are delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They’re fabulous chilled and taste even richer the next day!
Freezing
These bites freeze wonderfully. Place fully cooled bites on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months—just thaw in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
You don’t need to reheat these—enjoy them chilled or let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes for a creamy, luscious texture. If you prefer them slightly warm, a few seconds in the microwave will do the trick (just be gentle to avoid melting the cheesecake center).
FAQs
-
Can I make Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, they’re even more delicious after a night in the fridge. Just store them in an airtight container and serve chilled or at room temperature.
-
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
Gel food coloring is ideal because it gives a bold color without thinning the batter. If you only have liquid, you may need to use more for the same vibrancy (but add it gradually so you don’t water down the batter).
-
How do I know when my cheesecake bites are done baking?
The edges should be set and the cheesecake centers just barely firm—they’ll finish setting as they cool. Avoid overbaking to keep the center creamy.
-
Can I make a bigger batch or use a standard muffin pan?
Definitely! You can double the recipe for more bites or use a regular muffin pan for slightly bigger treats—just increase baking time by a few minutes and keep an eye for doneness.
Final Thoughts
I cannot wait for you to try these Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites—each one is a mini moment of joy that’s bursting with flavor and a creamy surprise inside. Whether for a party, a special gift, or a little indulgence just for you, these bites will charm absolutely everyone who tries them. Happy baking!
PrintRed Velvet Cheesecake Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 59 minutes
- Yield: 42 1 tablespoon scoop bites 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites are the perfect combination of rich red velvet base and creamy cheesecake filling. Baked to perfection, these mini treats are great for parties or special occasions.
Ingredients
Red Velvet Base:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup salted sweet cream butter, melted and cooled
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon red gel food color
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, room temperature and beaten
Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 ounces package of cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare Red Velvet Base: Combine flour and cocoa powder. In a separate bowl, mix butter, sugar, red food color, vanilla, and eggs. Stir in the flour mixture.
- Make Cheesecake Filling: Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg yolk until well combined.
- Assembly: Pipe red velvet base into mini muffin pans, then add cheesecake filling on top.
- Bake: Bake for 8-9 minutes, then cool before transferring to a wire rack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 98
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 64mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 27mg