These Raspberry Cream Cheese Bites are the perfect little sweet appetizer, a creamy, vanilla version of a cream cheese filling, juicy raspberries, and a crispy graham cracker exterior. A handful of ingredients and easy steps later, and you’ll have yourself a sweetly satisfying, refreshing dessert. Great for parties, as quick snacks, or even just a fun item on your dessert table, these bites will definitely be a hit!
Why You’ll Love These Raspberry Cream Cheese Bites:
Easy and No-Bake: No oven required! These bites come together with minimal mixing and chilling.
Creamy And Fruity: The blend of luscious cream cheese and plump raspberries is irresistibly creamy and bright.
Perfectly Portable: Perfect for parties, potlucks, or an on-the-go snack.
Make-Ahead Chunk: These are easy to make ahead and stash in the freezer.
Key Ingredients:
Cream Cheese: You will want your cream cheese fully softened if you want the smoothest filling when mixing.
Fresh Raspberries: Fresh berries are best for a burst of flavor and little moisture. If using frozen, let them thaw then pat dry gently to avoid excess moisture.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: Crushed graham crackers give a nice crunch and a touch of sweetness. If you are gluten-free, find gluten-free graham crackers or crushed nuts for a tasty take.
Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the cream cheese without adding grittiness, so do not use granulated sugar in its place.
For the full list of ingredients with amounts and instructions, see the recipe card below
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Beat the Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, combine 8 oz softened cream cheese. To prevent lumps, use an electric mixer or whisk to beat everything until smooth and creamy.
Sift in Powdered Sugar & Vanilla Extract: A little at a time, sift in 1/4 cup powdered sugar and pour in 1 tsp vanilla extract. Soften and beat until combined and smooth.
Fold in the Raspberries: Gently fold in 1 cup of fresh raspberries. The goal is to leave the berries largely whole for explosions of fresh flavor.
Step 2: Form the Bites
Portion the Batter: Use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop portions about 1 inch in diameter.
Roll into balls: Roll each piece between your hands into the balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 3: Chill the Bites
Freeze: Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and freeze for 1 hour, or until the bites are firm. That helps them keep their shape for coating.
Step 4: Prepare the Coating
Mix Graham Cracker Crumbs and Butter: In a shallow bowl, mix 1 cup graham cracker crumbs with 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter until evenly combined and sandy in texture.
Step 5: Coat the Bites
Roll in crumbs: Pull the bites out of the freezer and roll each in the graham cracker mixture until covered on all sides.
Transfer to Baking Sheet: Place the coated bites back on the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some distance between them.
Step 6: Chill Again
Freeze Again: Return the coated bites to the freezer for another 30 minutes, to make sure they’re firm and easy to work with.
Step 7: Serve
Bring to Room Temperature: Serve the bites at room temperature for a few minutes before eating for the right creamy consistency.
Serving Suggestions:
These Raspberry Cream Cheese Bites are fabulous on their own, but here are a few fun ways to kick them up a notch:
Fruit Garnish: Add a few more fresh raspberries on the plate.
Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted dark or white chocolate over the top for an elegant touch and extra flavor.
Mini Dessert Board: Add these bites to a mini dessert board with fresh fruits, nuts, and other bite-size goodies for a gorgeous spread.
Storage Tips:
These are easy to make ahead and store, so they’re ideal for meal prep or batch cooking:
Store In the Refrigerator: Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: To store longer, freeze the bites on a baking sheet until solid; transfer to a freezer-safe container. They will store nicely in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Serving from Frozen: For serving from frozen, allow to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Variations:
Experiment with your flavor profile of these creamy bites with these fun spin-off variations:
Berry Blend Bites: Swap in a mix of raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries for a quasi-mixed berry flavor.
Chocolate-Covered Cheesecake Bites: After rolling in graham crackers, dip each bite in melted chocolate for an extra-fancy dessert.
Lemon Raspberry Bites: Stir in a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for a zesty, bright flavor.
Nutty Coating: Swap in finely chopped nuts, such as pecans or almonds, for graham cracker crumbs for a crunchy, nutty coating.
Minty Raspberry Bites: Stir in a drop or two of mint extract to the cream cheese mixture for a refreshing hint of mint that complements raspberries well.
Conclusion:
These Raspberry Cream Cheese Bites are the perfect mix of creamy, tart, and sweet. They’re also easy to make and personalize, if you’re interested in adding a chocolate drizzle, experimenting with different coatings, or if you want them to be part of a dessert spread. This recipe sets you up for an easy snack, a party snack or even a sweet breakfast nosh with coffee.
Raspberry Cream Cheese Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Place softened cream cheese in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat until smooth and creamy to avoid lumps.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Beat until well combined and smooth.
- Gently fold in fresh raspberries, keeping them mostly intact for bursts of fresh flavor.
- Use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop portions about 1 inch in diameter. Roll each portion between your hands to form balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1 hour, or until the bites are firm.
- In a shallow bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted unsalted butter until evenly combined and sandy in texture.
- Remove the chilled bites from the freezer and roll each one in the graham cracker mixture until fully coated. Place the coated bites back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place the coated bites back in the freezer for another 30 minutes to ensure they’re firm and easy to handle.
- Let the bites sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for a perfectly creamy texture.