Cheesecake Bites

If you like cheesecake you have got to try these little cheesecake bites. They are wonderfully delicious--and you'll be glad that they are cut into bite-sized pieces, because they are scrumptiously sweet. I made them for a party my mom hosted (like two weeks ago...so what if I'm a little behind), and they were a big hit. Aside from the usual tediousness of a cheesecake (allowing plenty of time for cooling), they were pretty simple to make. Definitely something I'm going to be making again--and the variations are endless (I'm already thinking mint Oreo's with green cheesecake and a white chocolate/mint glaze for St. Patty's Day next year... Yum!)


Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake Bites
(adapted from landolakes.com)


1 1/4 cup crushed Oreos (or other cookie)
1/4 cup butter melted


20 caramels, unwrapped
2 tbsp half and half
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted (I omitted these)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sour cream


Melted chocolate for drizzling


Heat oven to 350*. Line an 8x8 square pan with a double thickness of aluminum foil, extending over the edge of pan for handles. Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray. Combine crushed oreos and butter and press into the bottom of the prepared pan (I only had a 9x9 pan so I had to increase the amount of crust in order to cover the entire bottom of the pan).


Combine caramels and half and half in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high one minute, and continue microwaving for 30 second intervals until smooth. Pour over crust in pan (it will be a thin layer). Top with pecans. Refrigerate while preparing cream cheese mixture.


Combine cream cheese and sugar in large bowl and beat at medium speed until creamy, scraping the sides frequently. Add the egg and vanilla, beating until just combined. Stir in the sour cream. Pour over the caramel/pecan mixture. 


Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until just set 2 inches from the edge of the pan (the top may start to brown in places). Cool on wire rack two hours; loosely cover and refrigerate 4 hours more. Lift cheesecake from pan using foil ends. Cut into 36 squares. Drizzle with melted chocolate and enjoy!


If you happen to check out the Land o Lakes website for this recipe you'll notice that they have the cheesecake bites completely covered in chocolate. While I'm sure that tastes delicious, I wanted to do something that would be a little bit easier, not quite as sweet, and still allow people to see what they were about to eat. Like I said, this recipe is time consuming because of the amount of cooling that it needs to go through, but aside from that it's pretty easy to put together. And they look pretty impressive when you're done. 


I would be remiss if I logged out without covering the details of this weekend, although to protect my dignity it won't be a full disclosure. Let's just say that my Saturday evening started like this

And ended like this

Enough said