Cream & Berry Filled Bites Recipe

Cream & Berry Filled Bites Recipe

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These delightful bites are perfect for a quick dessert, afternoon snack, or party treat. They combine a crisp base with a creamy filling and a burst of fresh berries.

Ingredients:

For the Base (Choose One):

  • No-Bake Option:
    • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuit crumbs)
    • 1/4 cup melted butter
    • 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
  • Baked Option:
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/4 cup sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
    • 1 egg yolk
    • 1-2 tablespoons cold milk (if needed)

For the Filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or whipped topping for a lighter version)

For the Berry Topping:

  • 1 cup fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or a mix)
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon of sugar.
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.

Instructions:

Base Preparation:

  • No-Bake Option:
    1. In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar (if using). Mix well until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
    2. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of mini muffin cups or a small square baking dish lined with parchment paper.
    3. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
  • Baked Option:
    1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
    2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
    3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
    4. Add the egg yolk and mix until the dough starts to come together. If the dough is too dry, add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.
    5. Press small amounts of the dough into mini muffin cups, forming a small cup shape.
    6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
    7. Let cool completely before filling.

Filling Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  2. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form (or use whipped topping).
  3. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.

Berry Topping Preparation:

  1. Wash and gently pat dry the berries.
  2. If using larger berries like strawberries, slice them into smaller pieces.
  3. Optional: If the berries are not very sweet or you wish to enhance the flavor, gently toss them with the sugar and lemon juice.

Assembly:

  1. Fill each prepared base with the cream cheese filling.
  2. Top each filled bite with fresh berries.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the filling to set.

Tips and Variations:

  • For a chocolate version, add cocoa powder to the graham cracker crust or incorporate melted chocolate into the cream cheese filling.
  • Use different types of fruit, such as sliced peaches, kiwi, or mango, for the topping.
  • For a lemon variation, add lemon zest and lemon juice to the cream cheese filling.
  • Drizzle melted chocolate over the finished bites for an extra touch of decadence.
  • If you don’t have mini muffin tins, you can use a small square dish and cut the dessert into squares after chilling.

Enjoy your delicious Cream & Berry Filled Bites!

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