Classic Halloween Graveyard Cheesecake Bites
Classic Halloween Graveyard Cheesecake Bites
These Classic Halloween Graveyard Cheesecake Bites are a take on the most iconic spookiest time of the year----Halloween. Based with a 'dirt-like' Chocolate Graham Cracker crust, filled with a velvety dark purple 'midnight spooky' cheesecake, and topped with a black-spider web swirl; while being surrounded by skulls, eyeballs, and grim-like pumpkins; these cheesecake bites are the perfect Halloween treat for the entire family!
'It's all just a bunch of hocus pocus!'—-This is suppose to be one of the most scariest times of the year.
It’s all about ghosts, zombies, witches, monsters, pumpkins, and anything spooky and almost unbearably terrifying! That’s Halloween for ya! These Classic Halloween Graveyard Cheesecake Bites are truly the most perfect, tasty treats for the entire family.
However, when it comes to having a toddler, many of the scarier things are often far too scary for them to enjoy. No grooling monster, bloody drinks, snickering witch, or eyeballs floating around for them (or at least most toddlers anyway), so I chose to come up with something totally spooky, BUT fun for everyone! If you're into mocktails, then these Halloween Witches Brew Mocktails will be perfect with cheesecake bites.
Honestly, I've never really done anything for Halloween, not even for Orchids + Sweet Tea, but this year, I wanted to create something simple yet festive for the occasion.
While this recipe looks a bit gory, it tastes so good! The base of everything is a classic cheesecake bite recipe, which is so velvety in every bite and bursting with such flavor.
'Tis the night — the night of the graves delight and the warlocks are at their play; Ye think that without the wild winds shout, but no, it is they — it is they.'---Cleveland Cloxe
When it comes to Halloween, my family and I aren’t big celebrators. Personally, I enjoy the whole costumes and pumpkin carving thing.
Oh and maybe a few eyeballs in my drink or a spooky dessert. Haha! But that’s really it. I’ve always been a huge fan of scary movies since my childhood, so that not anything new or different. Think: It, Child's Play, Halloween along with classic Michael Meyers movies, Hocus Pocus, Freddy vs. Jason, and the list goes on.
However, having a toddler has shown me that kids this small really do enjoy the innocent aspects of Halloween and not the grim-like aspects of it.
So, of course, to kids, skulls (or skeletons as my toddler would call it) are a bit cool instead of spooky and pumpkins are super fun for them.
The funny thing is that my son is has been so scared of spiders and spider webs when we walk down the Halloween decor aisles of the stores and it's so crazy! I guess it's because they look more real these days. Haha.
Therefore, for this rendition of spooky, I kept things so simple by getting most of my props from Target---my absolute favorite place! In addition, I kept things themed in color----as you can see, there's a ton of black, gray, purple, orange----all colors geared towards the spooky feel.
Once Halloween begins to make it's way closer to us, I plan on creating a few fun activities with my little guy. I believe that a little Halloween decor, pumpkin carving + painting, baking of spooky treats, and other fun outdoor activities are perfect for any toddler. Don't you agree?
Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen. Voices whisper in the trees, "Tonight is Halloween!"---Dexter Kozen
Looking for Great Ideas for Halloween That Comes Kid-Friendly?
Bake Spooky Sweet Treats.
Carve and/or Paint a Pumpkin.
Make Other Fun Crafts.
Visit Halloween 'Haunted' Houses.
Create a DIY Costume.
To read more about each idea, see our past article on Best Toddler Approved Fun Things for Halloween.
Lover of Cheesecake Bites? These Are a MUST-TRY!
The Best Oreo Cheesecake Bites are what we call these little bites and it’s no understatement. Not only are these little bites the perfect size, but they come fully packed with a beautifully tasty oreo cookie crust and a decadent oreo filling, topped with whipped cream and a full oreo cookie for extra goodness. Can we just say that it’s an oreo overload?
These Delicious Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bites are an awesome rendition of traditional Southern pecan pie except for the velvety texture of cheesecake. Not only are these little bites the perfect size, but they come fully packed with a beautifully tasty Pecans + Graham Cracker crust and a scrumptious pecan-caramel glaze on top. Perfect for any day, family gathering, or any special occasion.
These New York-Style Cheesecake Bites are the best rendition of an old-time favorite with no real twist except for freshly topped berries! Not only are these little bites the perfect size, but they come fully packed with a beautifully classic Graham Cracker crust, a nice creamy + velvety cream cheese base, and is amazing as is. Perfect for Easter, a family gathering, or any special occasion.
These Mini Salted Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bites are the epitome of the best dessert treat ever! Not only are these little bites the perfect size, but they come packed with flavor that will leave you reminiscing on a nice slice of apple pie with a crunchy, sweet streusel topping. Let’s not forget the light homemade salted caramel drizzle that adds an even sweeter + salty taste to these cheesecake bites.
These Southerner’s Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bites are beyond the best remix to the South’s famous Banana Pudding. Packed with the original sweet flavors, this recipe adds a nice spice which stems from it’s gingersnap cookie crust and the creaminess definitely comes from the burst of cream cheese in ever bite. Small enough to keep yourself from eating too many (if that’s your thing!) and plenty enough to satisfy a big sweet tooth!
These Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites + Pecan Crust are the ultimate dessert recipe. Not only are these little bites the perfect size, but they come fully packed with a beautifully tasty Pecans + Graham Cracker crust, velvety pumpkin + spice flavored filling, and topped with light whipped cream + toasted pecans. Perfect for any day, family gathering, special occasion, or season.
How To Make Classic Halloween Graveyard Cheesecake Bites
'DIRT-LIKE' CACAO GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 12-cavity cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
Grind the graham crackers, until almost finely ground (it’s OK to leave a few medium chunks, if your’e a lover of a little crunch!). Combine the Graham cracker, cacao powder, pure cane sugar and melted butter in a small bowl and mix with a spatula until well incorporated.
Divide the mixture between the cupcake liners (about 2 Tbsps per cup) and press down into the bottoms with your fingers to ensure that it’s perfectly covering the bottom.
Bake the crusts for about 5 minutes and then remove from oven and allow it to cool until you’re ready to use.
SPOOKY 'MIDNIGHT' CHEESECAKE + FILLING:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix together on low speed: the cream cheese, pure cane sugar, and flour until combined. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl if needed.
Next, add the vanilla extract and the first egg and beat slowly until mostly combined. Then add the remaining egg and mix until well combined, still mixing everything on low speed. Now, add the sour cream and lemon juice and continue mixing.
Change mixer attachment to a whisk and beat on medium-high speed for 5 minutes or so until completely smooth and lump-free. Add in gel food colorings and continue mixing until well incorporated.
Add a small amount of filling to each cupcake liner (about 2 Tbsps), repeating until all batter is used. Using a toothpick (lightly dipped in black gel color), gently make swirls atop cheesecake batter. Repeat until all have been completed.
Bake the cheesecakes for 16 to 18 minutes, then turn off the oven and allow them to sit in the oven for another 5 minutes with the oven door halfway open to avoid cheesecakes from deflating. **NOTE: When baking, I always prepare a medium pot with water and add it to the oven as well, to keep cheesecake temperature even and to add moisture.**
Remove cheesecakes from the oven and allow them to continue to cool for another 15-20 minutes, before putting them in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Once fully cooled, serve with your favorite grooling Halloween decor and enjoy.
Bon Appetit!
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Classic Halloween Graveyard Cheesecake Bites
Ingredients
'DIRT-LIKE' CACAO GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST:
- 1 ½ cups Graham crackers, chopped (About 10 Graham Crackers)
- 2 Tbsps organic brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 Tbsps Cacao powder (I use Navitas Organics)
- 4 Tbsps unsalted butter, melted
SPOOKY 'MIDNIGHT' CHEESECAKE + FILLING:
- 12 ozs. organic cream cheese, softened at room (That’s 1 ½ packs!; I use Organic Valley)
- ½ cup pure cane sugar
- 3 Tbsps organic all-purpose flour (I use Bob’s Red Mills)
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, room temp. (I use Organic Valley)
- 3 Tbsps low-fat sour cream
- 2 tsps juice of a lemon
- ½ teaspoon Black gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon Red gel food coloring
OTHER:
- Black gel food coloring
Instructions
'DIRT-LIKE' CACAO GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 12-cavity cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- Grind the graham crackers, until almost finely ground (it’s OK to leave a few medium chunks, if your’e a lover of a little crunch!). Combine the Graham cracker, cacao powder, pure cane sugar and melted butter in a small bowl and mix with a spatula until well incorporated.
- Divide the mixture between the cupcake liners (about 2 Tbsps per cup) and press down into the bottoms with your fingers to ensure that it’s perfectly covering the bottom.
- Bake the crusts for about 5 minutes and then remove from oven and allow it to cool until you’re ready to use.
SPOOKY 'MIDNIGHT' CHEESECAKE + FILLING:
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix together on low speed: the cream cheese, pure cane sugar, and flour until combined. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl if needed.
- Next, add the vanilla extract and the first egg and beat slowly until mostly combined. Then add the remaining egg and mix until well combined, still mixing everything on low speed. Now, add the sour cream and lemon juice and continue mixing.
- Change mixer attachment to a whisk and beat on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes or so until completely smooth and lump-free. NOTE: DO NOT OVER-MIX. Be sure to stop once the batter becomes smooth. Add in gel food colorings and continue mixing until well incorporated.
- Add a small amount of filling to each cupcake liner (about 2 Tbsps), repeating until all batter is used. Using a toothpick (lightly dipped in black gel color), gently make swirls atop cheesecake batter. Repeat until all have been completed.
- Bake the cheesecakes for 16 to 18 minutes, then turn off the oven and allow them to sit in the oven for another 5 minutes with the oven door halfway open to avoid cheesecakes from deflating. **NOTE: When baking, I always prepare a medium pot with water and add it to the oven as well, to keep cheesecake temperature even and to add moisture.**
- Remove cheesecakes from the oven and allow them to continue to cool for another 15-20 minutes, before putting them in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Once fully cooled, serve with your favorite grooling Halloween decor and enjoy.
- Bon Appetit!
Nutrition
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Classic Halloween Graveyard Cheesecake Bites.
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I usually don't do a lot for Halloween either. Maybe go to a party & dress up, but I never cooked or baked anything specifically for Halloween. Mostly because all that stuff seems so childish & sugary & not really tasty - like the only important thing is that it looks scary/disgusting. But these cheesecake bites though!! These I will definitely make. Jus the right amount of spooky, but sound so delicious as well! Thanks for sharing!
These are too cute! They came at the perfect time, I'm excitedly planning a Halloween party menu. Thanks for the adorable recipe!
I love the color you made these. They are perfectly spooky Halloween treat and delicious too.
Love the idea of cheescake bites! Plus the decoration on this definitely screams Halloween.
Oh I love the color you got in these little cheesecakes! At first look, I thought they were red velvet cake, but they are cheesecake YUMMMMM. Love the layers.