Cheesecake Bites with Diploma Picks (Printable)

Creamy cheesecake bites with a buttery crust and fresh berries, ideal for celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crust

01 - 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Cheesecake Filling

04 - 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 2 tablespoons sour cream

→ Topping

09 - 1/2 cup fresh mixed berries, diced
10 - 2 tablespoons fruit preserves, optional

→ Decoration

11 - Graduation-style diploma picks

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 24-cup mini muffin pan with cupcake liners.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until evenly incorporated.
03 - Spoon 1 teaspoon of crust mixture into each liner and press down firmly to create an even base.
04 - Bake crusts for 5 minutes, then remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
05 - In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer.
06 - Add egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream to the cream cheese mixture. Blend until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
07 - Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of cheesecake filling over each crust, smoothing the tops evenly.
08 - Bake for 13 to 15 minutes until centers are just set but still slightly jiggly.
09 - Remove from oven and allow cheesecakes to cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
10 - Transfer cooled cheesecakes to a wire rack to continue cooling.
11 - Chill cheesecakes in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before topping and serving.
12 - Top each cheesecake bite with fresh mixed berries. For extra shine, gently warm fruit preserves and brush lightly over berries.
13 - Insert diploma picks into each cheesecake bite just before serving for festive presentation.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They're foolproof enough for a first-timer but impressive enough to steal the show at any celebration.
  • No graham cracker crumbs scattered across your countertop—this method keeps everything contained and tidy.
  • People genuinely ask for the recipe when they bite into the creamy filling that somehow stays perfectly cheesecake-like in miniature form.
02 -
  • The centers will look slightly underbaked when you pull them from the oven—this is exactly right, and they'll set perfectly as they cool and chill.
  • Don't use a hand mixer for the cream cheese; an electric mixer ensures the mixture gets light and creamy enough to make a difference in texture.
  • Berries added right before serving stay fresh and don't weep liquid onto the filling, keeping each bite visually perfect.
03 -
  • Room-temperature cream cheese makes an enormous difference—take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before baking and your filling will be silky instead of lumpy.
  • If you can't find mini muffin liners, parchment paper cut into small squares and gently pressed into the cups works beautifully and actually looks more elegant.
Go Back