If you ever find yourself craving a dessert that perfectly balances creamy richness and indulgent chocolatey caramel goodness, then this Snickers Cheesecake Bites Recipe is an absolute must-try. These delightful mini cheesecakes offer bite-sized joy packed with the irresistible flavors of Snickers bars, velvety cream cheese filling, and luscious caramel swirls, all wrapped up in a tender, cocoa-infused crust. Whether you’re aiming to impress guests or treat yourself, this recipe brings that luscious Snickers magic into a fun, easy-to-enjoy dessert that’s simply unforgettable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating these Snickers Cheesecake Bites is surprisingly straightforward, thanks to a handful of wholesome ingredients that work together beautifully. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to contribute to the rich flavor, creamy texture, or the perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness that makes these bites so addictive.
- Flour (1 1/2 C): Forms the base of the crust, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- Cocoa powder (3 tbsp): Adds a deep chocolate note and rich color to the crust.
- Baking soda (1 tsp): Helps the crust rise slightly for a delicate texture.
- Kosher salt (1/2 tsp): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (10 tbsp, softened): Gives the crust richness and a buttery finish.
- Sugar (1 cup for filling & some for crust): Sweetens both the crust and cheesecake filling perfectly.
- Egg yolks (2 large): Help bind the crust ingredients together and add richness.
- Whole milk (2 tbsp): Keeps the crust moist and tender.
- Vanilla extract (2 tsp for crust, ¾ tsp for filling): Brings warmth and depth to both the crust and cheesecake.
- Cream cheese (2 – 8 oz packages, softened): The star of the cheesecake filling, making it luscious and smooth.
- Sour cream (½ cup): Adds a subtle tanginess to balance the sweetness and create creamy texture.
- Kosher salt (â…› tsp for filling): Enhances the flavors in the creamy center.
- Eggs (2 large): Provide structure and richness to the cheesecake filling.
- Salted caramel sauce (1 tbsp for filling, ¼ cup for topping): Infuses luscious caramel flavor and gooey sweetness.
- Snickers bars (2 regular, chopped, half reserved): Chunky and crunchy star ingredients to mix inside and garnish on top.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Melted to create a rich chocolate ganache topping.
- Heavy whipping cream (½ cup): Whipped and combined with chocolate chips to make a silky ganache topping.
How to Make Snickers Cheesecake Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chocolatey Crust
Begin by mixing your flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt in a large bowl for the crust’s base. Then, cream together the softened butter with the sugar and egg yolks until smooth and fluffy—this is what gives your crust that perfect tender crumb and buttery taste. Gradually add the dry ingredients alternated with the milk and vanilla extract, combining them until you have a uniform dough. Press this dough evenly into a mini muffin tin or cupcake liners to form the perfect little crusts that will hold all that luscious cheesecake and Snickers goodness.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Cheesecake Filling
For the filling, you’ll want your cream cheese nice and soft for smooth mixing. Beat the cream cheese with sugar until silky, then add sour cream, eggs, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. The eggs help the filling set with a delicate, rich texture, while sour cream provides a subtle tang to balance the sweetness. Gently fold in the salted caramel sauce and half of your chopped Snickers bars to infuse that classic caramel and peanut flavor straight into every bite. Pour this heavenly mixture over the crusts, filling each mini cup almost to the top but leaving space to add toppings later.
Step 3: Bake and Add the Finishing Touches
Bake the bites in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the centers are just set but still slightly jiggly. This will ensure a silky cheesecake texture that’s downright dreamy. Once cooled, whip together the heavy cream and semi-sweet chocolate chips to create a luscious ganache topping—pour or pipe it over each bite for a shiny, rich finish. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce on top and sprinkle the reserved chopped Snickers bars for an irresistibly crunchy and gooey garnish that makes these cheesecake bites truly pop.
How to Serve Snickers Cheesecake Bites Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling a bit of sea salt flakes or finely chopped peanuts on top can elevate the Snickers Cheesecake Bites Recipe to a whole new level of texture and flavor. It adds a delightful crunch and contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate. Fresh mint leaves also make a lovely colorful touch and bring a subtle freshness to each indulgent bite.
Side Dishes
These mini cheesecakes pair beautifully with a simple cup of rich coffee or a creamy chai latte to highlight the complex caramel and chocolate notes. For an extra special touch, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a few fresh berries to balance the richness with a light, fruity contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving these Snickers Cheesecake Bites Recipe treats on a pretty platter with mini cupcake liners for easy handling, or arrange them in decorative muffin cups for individual servings at parties. Another fun idea is to stack a few on a tiered dessert stand to make an eye-catching centerpiece. You can even drizzle additional caramel and chocolate sauce tableside to delight your guests with an interactive dessert experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Snickers Cheesecake Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days without loss of flavor or texture. Make sure they’re well covered to prevent the rich ganache topping from drying out.
Freezing
These cheesecake bites freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They’ll keep fresh for up to 2 months, making them perfect for prepping ahead of time or saving a sweet treat for later.
Reheating
Since these are best enjoyed chilled, it’s recommended to thaw frozen cheesecake bites in the refrigerator overnight and serve cold. Avoid microwaving as it can alter the delicate texture of the cheesecake and cause the ganache to lose its smooth finish.
FAQs
Can I use different candy bars instead of Snickers?
Absolutely! While Snickers are a classic choice for this recipe, you can swap them out for other favorites like Milky Way, Twix, or even Reese’s for a different nutty or chocolate flavor profile. Just chop them finely to integrate smoothly.
Do I need a special pan for these cheesecake bites?
You don’t need anything fancy! A mini muffin tin or silicone mini cupcake molds work perfectly to create uniform bite-sized cheesecakes. Just make sure to grease or line them correctly to prevent sticking.
What’s the best way to soften cream cheese?
The easiest method is to leave it out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before you start baking. This ensures it mixes smoothly into the filling without lumps, creating that creamy texture everyone loves.
Can I make these Snickers Cheesecake Bites Recipe gluten-free?
Certainly! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking, and check that all other ingredients (like baking soda and cocoa powder) are labeled gluten-free to keep it safe and delicious.
Is there a way to make the caramel sauce from scratch?
Yes! If you prefer homemade caramel, melt sugar with butter and cream slowly on the stove until golden and smooth. It adds a personal touch and can be adjusted for sweetness or saltiness depending on your liking.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to devour, this Snickers Cheesecake Bites Recipe should be at the top of your list. The combination of creamy cheesecake, gooey caramel, crunchy Snickers pieces, and rich chocolate will have everyone asking for seconds. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite indulgence to share with friends and family.
Print
Snickers Cheesecake Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 mini cheesecakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Snickers Cheesecake Bites are a deliciously decadent dessert featuring a rich cocoa crust, creamy cheesecake filling swirled with salted caramel, and chopped Snickers for a perfect balance of chocolate, caramel, and peanut flavors. Miniature and easy to enjoy, they are perfect for parties or a sweet treat any time.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 10 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Cheesecake Filling
- 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp salted caramel sauce
- 2 regular size Snickers bars, chopped (set aside half for topping)
Topping
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the egg yolks, whole milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a dough forms.
- Form crust base and bake: Press the dough evenly into the bottoms of a greased or lined mini muffin pan to create the crust base for each cheesecake bite. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until slightly set. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Make the cheesecake filling: Beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy. Mix in sour cream, vanilla extract, salt, and eggs until fully incorporated. Fold in the salted caramel sauce and half of the chopped Snickers pieces gently.
- Assemble and bake cheesecakes: Spoon the cheesecake filling over each crust base in the mini muffin pan, filling almost to the top. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until the centers are just set and edges lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up.
- Prepare the chocolate ganache topping: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy whipping cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and pour over the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a bowl. Let sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle the chocolate ganache and caramel sauce over each chilled cheesecake bite, then sprinkle the remaining chopped Snickers bars on top. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the cheesecake filling.
- Allow the cheesecake bites to chill well in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor.
- Use mini muffin pans or silicone molds for easy removal of the cheesecake bites.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a nut-free option, substitute Snickers with chopped chocolate bars without nuts.
