If you love the rich, velvety taste of red velvet and the creamy indulgence of cheesecake, then you’re going to adore this Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites Recipe. These little treats are the perfect bite-sized way to enjoy two classic desserts rolled into one delicious creation.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I was surprised at how easy and fun it was to whip up these cheesecake bites, and the results blew me away every time. They’re perfect for sharing—if you can resist eating them all yourself!
- Quick & Easy: No oven baking required, just a little mixing and chilling, which makes them perfect when you want a fast sweet fix.
- Rich Flavor Combo: Combines the deep, cocoa-rich taste of red velvet cake with silky smooth cream cheese.
- Elegant Look: White almond bark coating and optional red stripes make these bites look fancy enough for any party.
- Perfect Portions: Bite-sized treats that are easy to serve and share at gatherings or enjoy as a personal indulgence.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Most of the magic happens with simple, accessible ingredients you probably can find at your local store or already have on hand. I recommend picking quality cream cheese for the best texture and flavor, and if you want that classic red velvet taste, stick with a trusted red velvet cake mix.
- Red velvet cake mix: This adds the signature flavor and that vibrant red color without all the extra effort of baking a cake from scratch.
- Cream cheese: Softened to ensure a smooth, creamy base that blends beautifully with the cake mix for a rich cheesecake texture.
- White almond bark: Melts easily into a glossy coating that hardens nicely, providing a lovely crisp shell around each bite.
- Red candy melts: Optional, but perfect for those festive stripes and a pop of color to make your bites stand out.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites Recipe is how easily you can adapt it to suit your tastes or occasion. Whether you want to add a fun twist or make them allergy-friendly, these bites welcome your creativity!
- Chocolate Lovers’ Variation: Try folding in mini chocolate chips into the cheesecake dough before chilling. I added them once and loved the surprise bursts of chocolate in every bite—it’s like little gems of joy!
- Nut-Free Version: If nut allergies are a concern, simply substitute the white almond bark coating with a white candy coating that’s certified nut-free. The flavor and texture stay wonderfully creamy.
- Festive Holiday Colors: Swap out red candy melts for green or gold melts to fit holiday themes. I once made these for a Christmas party and got tons of compliments on how festive they looked.
- Mini Cheesecake Pops: Insert a small lollipop stick into each ball after chilling and before coating in white almond bark. They make perfect, mess-free party treats that everyone can enjoy on the go!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites Recipe
Step 1: Heat Treat the Dry Cake Mix
This is a crucial safety step to eliminate any risk from raw flour or cake mix. Pour your dry red velvet cake mix into a medium heat-safe bowl. Microwave it in two 30-second bursts, making sure to stir well after each to distribute heat evenly. Then, be patient and let it cool completely before moving on — this prevents melting your cream cheese in the next step!
Step 2: Beat the Cream Cheese Until Silky Smooth
Place your softened cream cheese in a medium bowl. Using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat it for about 1½ to 2 minutes. You want it perfectly smooth and creamy with no lumps—that creamy texture is key for luscious cheesecake bites.
Step 3: Gently Blend in the Cooled Cake Mix
Sprinkle your fully cooled dry cake mix over the whipped cream cheese. Then mix gently but thoroughly just until incorporated. The mixture forms a soft cheesecake dough that's ready to chill. Avoid overmixing to keep a tender texture.
Step 4: Refrigerate the Cheesecake Dough
Wrap the cheesecake dough tightly with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for 2 hours. This chilling step firms up the dough so it’s easy to scoop and shape without sticking to your hands. I usually set a timer so I don’t forget!
Step 5: Scoop and Roll into Perfect Bites
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each scoop gently in your hands to form smooth, round balls. Place them spaced evenly on the baking sheet. You should get about 28 bites from the batch.
Step 6: Melt and Prepare the White Almond Bark Coating
Break the white almond bark into pieces and place them in a medium heat-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring thoroughly each time until fully melted and silky smooth. If the coating thickens as you work, just reheat in short bursts to keep it perfect for dipping.
Step 7: Dip Each Bite and Remove Excess Coating
Roll each cheesecake bite in the melted almond bark to coat completely. Lift the coated bite with a fork and gently tap it to let excess coating drip off. Use a spoon to gently fill in any missed spots with more coating. Then, a toothpick is perfect for transferring the bites back to the lined tray without smudging. This step keeps each bite looking smooth and polished.
Step 8: Optional Decorative Stripes with Red Candy Melts
For that classic festive touch, melt your red candy melts the same way as the almond bark—in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Drizzle thin stripes over the coated bites using a fork, spoon, or squeeze bottle. I love how this simple addition makes the bites feel extra special for parties or holidays.
Step 9: Let the Coating Set and Enjoy!
Simply allow the bites to sit at room temperature until the chocolate hardens completely. This usually takes about 20–30 minutes—perfect timing to clean up and prepare for serving. Once set, these Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites are ready to wow your guests or satisfy your sweet tooth!
Top Tip
These tips will help you achieve perfectly smooth, flavorful Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites that not only taste amazing but also look picture-perfect. Trust me, a few small tweaks make all the difference when working with no-bake cheesecake dough and chocolate coatings.
- Heat Treat the Cake Mix: This step is crucial for food safety. I learned the hard way that skipping it can leave you with an insecure dessert. Just microwave the dry mix as instructed and cool thoroughly before mixing.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Softening your cream cheese properly ensures a lump-free, creamy base. Trying to rush this step once gave me a grainy texture, so I always take my time now.
- Matching Temperatures: Before dipping, let both your cheesecake bites and melted almond bark come to similar room temperatures. This prevents cracking and keeps your coating smooth and glossy.
- Reheat Almond Bark if Needed: If the coating thickens while you're working, simply microwave in short bursts and stir well. This keeps the texture perfect for dipping every time.
How to Serve Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites Recipe
Garnishes
While the classic white almond bark and optional red candy stripes are stunning on their own, you can always elevate your Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites with some extra flair. Try sprinkling a pinch of edible gold dust or crushed freeze-dried raspberries for a pop of color and texture. For a festive occasion, a tiny edible silver pearl or a sprinkle of red sanding sugar adds sparkle and charm.
Side Dishes
These bites shine as a party dessert all on their own, but if you want to create a dessert platter, serve alongside fresh berries, dollops of whipped cream, or a small bowl of rich hot chocolate for dipping. Miniature espresso cups or flavored coffee also pair beautifully and balance the sweetness. For brunch or tea time, a light fruit salad or citrus sorbet would be wonderfully refreshing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keeping them chilled not only preserves freshness but also maintains that creamy texture inside and keeps the almond bark coating firm.
Freezing
If you want to prepare in advance, you can freeze the uncooked cheesecake dough balls for up to 2 months. Simply scoop and roll them, place them on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before coating with melted almond bark and decorating.
Reheating
Because these bites are no-bake and served chilled, reheating isn’t necessary. Just bring them to room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving if you prefer a slightly softer bite. Otherwise, enjoy them straight from the fridge for a refreshing treat.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While red velvet gives these bites their signature look and taste, you can experiment with chocolate, vanilla, or funfetti cake mixes for a playful twist. Just remember to heat treat the dry mix regardless of flavor for safety.
You can substitute good-quality white chocolate chips, but be aware that almond bark is specifically formulated to melt smoothly and harden evenly, making coating easier. If using white chocolate, temper it carefully to avoid bloom or stickiness.
Microwaving the dry cake mix heats it enough to eliminate possible pathogens like salmonella, which can be present in raw cake mixes that contain flour or powdered ingredients. This is an important step to make your no-bake Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites safe to eat.
This recipe relies on cream cheese and almond bark with dairy ingredients. To make vegan versions, you’d need dairy-free cream cheese and a suitable dairy-free coating alternative. Keep in mind the texture and flavor might differ slightly.
Final Thoughts
Making these Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites has become one of my favorite no-fuss desserts to share with friends and family. They look elegant, taste decadent, and are so fun to make—plus, no oven required! Whether it’s for a holiday gathering, birthday treat, or just a sweet pick-me-up, these bites never fail to impress. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen and taste buds as it does to mine. Happy baking (or should I say, no-baking!)!
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Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 28 bites
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully sweet and creamy Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites combine the rich flavors of red velvet cake mix and smooth cream cheese, coated in a luscious white almond bark and finished with optional red candy melt stripes. Perfect bite-sized treats for parties or dessert.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce red velvet cake mix
- 8 ounce cream cheese softened
- 12 ounce white almond bark
- ¾ cup red candy melts (optional striped garnish)
Instructions
- Heat Treat Dry Cake Mix: Place the dry red velvet cake mix into a medium heat-safe bowl. Microwave the dry mix in two 30 second intervals, stirring well after each interval. Allow the cake mix to cool completely before use to ensure food safety.
- Beat Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, use a handheld mixer set to medium-high speed to beat the softened cream cheese for 1 ½ to 2 minutes until completely smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Combine Cake Mix and Cream Cheese: Sprinkle the cooled dry cake mix over the beaten cream cheese. Mix together gently but thoroughly just until fully incorporated, creating the cheesecake dough.
- Chill Dough: Tightly cover the cheesecake dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up for easy handling and shaping.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to place the finished bites on.
- Form Cheesecake Bites: Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop a portion of dough and roll it into a smooth ball with your hands. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all dough is used.
- Melt White Almond Bark: Place the white almond bark in a heat-safe medium bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until fully melted and smooth.
- Coat Cheesecake Bites: Roll each cheesecake bite in the melted almond bark to coat completely. Tap gently on a fork to remove excess coating, using a spoon to cover any missed spots. Use a toothpick to transfer the coated bites back to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Melt Red Candy Melts: In a small heat-safe bowl, melt the red candy melts in 30 second intervals, stirring until smooth and fully melted.
- Decorate Bites: Drizzle the melted red candy melts in thin stripes over the coated cheesecake bites using a fork, spoon, or squeeze bottle for an optional decorative touch.
- Set and Serve: Allow the coated bites to sit at room temperature until the chocolate coating fully hardens. Serve once set.
Notes
- Always heat treat the dry cake mix before mixing it with cream cheese to eliminate any risk of pathogens.
- For easy drizzle decoration, use a squeeze bottle, drizzling spoon, or a fork for controlled lines.
- Make sure cream cheese is softened at room temperature to avoid lumps in the mixture.
- If white almond bark coating becomes too thick while coating, reheat in 15-second intervals until smooth again.
- Let cheesecake bites and coating come to similar room temperatures before dipping to prevent the chocolate coating from cracking.
- Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can freeze the uncooked cheesecake bites for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before coating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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