Mini Cheesecake Bites with Vanilla Wafers
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These cheesecake bites are the ones I remember my mom making when I was growing up. I’ve been known to stand at her kitchen counter and eat a whole plate of them! Now that my nephews are grown and love them too, there’s a little more competition for this family favorite.
I remember Mom dropping the vanilla wafers right into the liners, but they don’t always fit neatly into my mini muffin pans now. Turning a wafer rounded-side down or letting it sit at a slight angle helps. I usually mix the filling by hand, so starting with softened cream cheese makes it much easier to blend.
These vanilla wafer cheesecake bites are a simple, old-fashioned dessert meant for sharing. Mine have cracked tops, and I finish them with regular canned pie filling. Their little portions are just right for tea parties, bridal showers, baby showers, or a dessert tray at a family gathering.
Why You’ll Love These Mini Cheesecake Bites
- A family favorite. This is the recipe I grew up enjoying at my mom’s house.
- An easy cookie crust. A whole vanilla wafer makes the base.
- Simple mixing. I usually mix the filling by hand.
- Flexible cream cheese options. I’ve used both regular and ⅓-less-fat cream cheese, without sticking to one brand.
- Easy toppings. Regular canned pie filling adds the finishing touch.
- Small portions for sharing. Guests can enjoy a little cheesecake alongside other treats.
Ingredients for Mini Cheesecakes with Nilla Wafers
You’ll find the complete measurements in the recipe card below.
| Ingredient | What it does | My notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla wafers | Form the cookie base | Use regular-sized vanilla wafers, such as Nilla wafers. See my tips below if they don’t fit neatly. |
| Cream cheese | Makes the creamy filling | I’ve used regular and ⅓-less-fat cream cheese. Brand isn’t important to me, so I can choose what’s on sale. |
| Sugar | Sweetens the filling | Use granulated sugar. |
| Vanilla extract | Adds vanilla flavor | It complements the vanilla wafer base. |
| Eggs | Help the filling set during baking | These are baked cheesecake bites. |
| Canned pie filling | Adds the fruit topping | I’ve used cherry and peach. Choose the flavor you enjoy. |
Equipment Needed
- Mini muffin pan
- Mini cupcake liners
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula for mixing
- Spoon for filling the liners
You can also place mini liners in a regular muffin pan if you need more room for the wafers.
How to Make This Mini Cheesecake Recipe with Vanilla Wafers
Step 1: Prepare the pan. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a mini muffin pan with mini cupcake liners.
Step 2: Add the vanilla wafers. Place a whole vanilla wafer in each liner. If a cookie doesn’t fit flat, try turning it rounded-side down or letting it sit at a slight angle.
Step 3: Mix the filling. Mix the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together. Add the eggs and mix until combined. I usually do this by hand.
Step 4: Fill the liners. Spoon the cheesecake filling over the vanilla wafers, filling the liners to the top.
Step 5: Bake. Bake for 25 minutes. Expect some cracked tops with this simple, old-fashioned recipe.
Step 6: Cool and top. Let the cheesecakes cool, then remove them from the pan. Spoon canned pie filling over the tops and serve.
Melissa’s Tips for Miniature Cheesecakes with Vanilla Wafers
Soften the cream cheese. I usually mix by hand, and softened cream cheese is much easier to blend with the other ingredients.
Choose your cream cheese by preference and price. I’ve made these with regular and ⅓-less-fat cream cheese, and I don’t stick to a particular brand.
Expect cracked tops. Mine will sometimes crack as they bake. This is an easy family recipe, and the canned pie filling makes a delicious finishing touch.
Fill the liners to the top. Spoon the filling over the cookie up to the top of the mini liner.
What If the Vanilla Wafers Don’t Fit?
I remember my mom dropping the wafers right into the liners, but they don’t always fit neatly into my mini muffin pans now. Cookies and pans vary, so here are a few ways to work around the fit.
| Option | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Let the wafer sit at an angle. | It can leave a small air pocket underneath, but you can still spoon the filling over it. |
| Turn it rounded-side down. | The curved side may fit better at the bottom of the muffin cup, though the cookie can be a little wobbly. |
| Break the wafer into smaller pieces. | Smaller pieces can fit inside the liner when a whole cookie is too wide. |
| Put mini liners in a regular muffin pan. | The liners have room to spread around the wafers instead of conforming to the narrow sides of a mini muffin cup. You may use a little more filling in each. |
Toppings for Cheesecake Bites
I keep the toppings simple with regular canned pie filling. Cherry is pictured here, and I’ve also used peach. I enjoy these plain with whipped cream, too.
Other topping ideas include:
- Blueberry or lemon pie filling
- Fresh berries
- Sliced strawberries with a sweet syrup
- Chocolate chips
- Whipped topping
Serving Mini Cheesecake Bites at Gatherings
Arrange the cheesecakes on a serving tray with their liners still on so guests can pick up an individual portion.
The small size makes them a lovely addition to a tea party, bridal shower, baby shower, or family dessert table. You can use one topping for the whole tray or offer different flavors.
FAQs about Cheesecake Bites
Storing Cheesecake Bites
Store the cheesecakes covered in the refrigerator.
More Desserts You’ll Love
If you enjoy old-fashioned family desserts, here are a few more favorites from my kitchen:
I’d Love to Hear From You
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a star rating and comment below to let me know how it turned out. I love hearing from you, and your ratings help other readers find and enjoy the recipe, too!
Cheesecake Bites Video
Watch my video to see how I place the wafers, fill the liners, and finish the cheesecakes with cherry pie filling.
Mini Cheesecakes with Vanilla Wafers
Equipment
- mini cupcake wrappers
- mini muffin tin
Ingredients
- 11 oz. vanilla wafer cookies such as Nabisco Nilla Wafers
- 16 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 21 oz. Pie filling use any kind you like. I used cherry and peach
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F
- Line mini muffin tins with cupcake wrappers
- Place a vanilla wafer in each wrapper – If you are struggling to get the cookie to fit then you can turn the cookie around so the rounded side is facing down.
- Mix cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar
- Add eggs and mix well
- Spoon the mixture over vanilla wafers – filling cupcake wrappers all of the way
- Bake for 25 minutes
- Let the mini cheesecakes cool down
- Remove the mini cheesecake bites from the muffin tin
- Top with pie topping and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
More From Kid Friendly Things To Do
- Crisp Washboard Cookies
- Iced Almond Thumbprint Cookies for Springtime
- No Bake Orange Jell-O Cheesecake Pie With Orange Glaze
- Toilet Paper Tube Bird Craft with Kids
- An Easy Kaleidoscope Craft From a Paper Plate and Cup
- Warm Bean Dip
- Peanut Butter Protein Balls with Protein Powder
~Melissa – KidFriendlyThingsToDo.Com
How many does this recipe make?
I can’t believe that I forgot to include that. It should make 2 dozen mini cheesecakes. 🙂
How many mini cheesecakes does this recipe make?
It should yield 2 dozen mini cheesecake bites. 🙂
I want to double the recipe. Will one can of cherry pie filling do, or should I buy two cans?
Just to be safe…buy one more can. You might have a little left over from the first can for a few more, but definitely not for another 24.
Do I need to get the mini vanilla wafers? Or do the regular sized work in the mini muffin tins?
Just get the regular size wafers. They are the perfect size.
it sounds very good will try it and the granddaughter will love helping with it thanks
I’m glad you’re going to give the recipe a try. I think the cheesecake bites will be a hit. Including your granddaughter sounds perfect. Some of my best memories are of cooking with my grandma.
I have a metal mini muffin tin and a Nilla wafer does not fit in the bottom of the cups. It either sits in sideways (tilted) or I had push and crush it down into place. On your web page you have a link to amazon and a silicon muffin tin but in the photos you show a metal pan and the cookies look like they drop in perfectly. What metal pan are you using? I made it and they tasted great and look awful. I wanted to make this for my mother’s birthday party this weekend and I would like to know what I am doing wrong or do I have the wrong pan? I hope to hear from you soon, so I can make them for the party otherwise plan B is use a regular muffin pan and a different recipe.
Hi Debra. I used a muffin tin that is unfortunately discontinued. It’s a vintage mini muffin tin. I suggested a silicone mini muffin tin because silicone is so easy to work with and everything usually comes out easily. After I read your comment, I ran to my kitchen and pulled out my vintage mini muffin tins and another – no-name mini muffin tin that I have in the cabinet. I tried placing a vanilla wafer into both the older tin and the new one. Your right, it doesn’t fit completely flush with the bottom, but it goes down almost all of the way with only a tiny pocket of air under the cookie. Unfortunately, not every cookie will be the exact size or shape. So, even if one fits perfectly, the next is bound to be lopsided. I took a photo to show you how a vanilla wafer fit into my pan and I will get that uploaded asap. Here’s what I would suggest if you are willing to give it a go for your mom’s birthday party. Try using a cupcake wrapper. I like to use a dark wrapper. It hides any inconsistencies with the cookies. Also, try flipping the cookie around so the rounded side (top) of the cookie is on the bottom of the muffin tin. It will be a bit wobbly, but it should fit into the muffin tin. I hope this helps and you can use the recipe for the party. I’m uploading a photo for you now.
How much pudding mix.
Hi Eliza. I don’t use pudding mix in this particular recipe. Was there another recipe that you had in mind?
Excellent. My second batch I ran out of vanilla wafers. I crushed up waffle cones. I like that bottom base better. Either way thank you for mini cheesecake recipe
Merry Christmas and Healthy Happy New to All
I’m so glad you like the recipe. Thank you so much for coming back to let me know. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Do these freeze well?
Yes, you can freeze them! I would freeze the mini cheesecakes without the pie filling or other toppings, then thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and add the topping before serving. The vanilla wafer crust may soften a little after freezing and thawing, but they should still taste delicious. I would freeze them in an airtight container for up to 1–2 months.