1. Prepare the Red Velvet Cake Base

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the cups. This will ensure that the cheesecake bites come out easily once baked.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is smooth. The cake batter should be thick and slightly sticky. If desired, you can use a hand mixer or stand mixer to ensure everything is well combined.

Spoon about a tablespoon of cake batter into each muffin cup, filling them about halfway. You can use a spoon or an ice cream scoop for even portions. Press the batter down lightly to ensure it’s spread evenly in the bottom of each muffin cup.

2. Make the Cheesecake Filling

In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for this step. Once the cream cheese is smooth, add the granulated sugar and continue mixing until fully combined.

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Finally, mix in the all-purpose flour to ensure that the cheesecake filling sets properly during baking.

The cheesecake filling should be smooth and slightly thick, but pourable. If it’s too thick, you can add a small splash of milk to achieve the right consistency.

3. Assemble the Cheesecake Bites

Spoon about a teaspoon of the cheesecake filling on top of the red velvet cake batter in each muffin cup. Be sure not to overfill the cups, as the cheesecake filling will puff up during baking.

You can gently swirl the cheesecake filling into the cake batter with a toothpick or skewer if you want to create a marbled effect, but this is optional. The filling and cake will bake together, creating a beautiful swirl of color and texture.

4. Bake the Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheesecake filling is set and the edges of the red velvet cake are slightly firm. The centers may still be a little jiggly, but that’s perfectly fine; they will firm up as they cool.

If you want to ensure the cheesecake filling is fully set, gently insert a toothpick into the center of one of the bites. If it comes out clean, the cheesecake bites are ready. If not, bake for a few more minutes until fully set.

5. Cool the Cheesecake Bites

Once baked, allow the cheesecake bites to cool in the muffin tin for about 10 minutes. This gives the cheesecake filling time to set and prevents the bites from falling apart when you remove them from the tin.

After 10 minutes, transfer the cheesecake bites to a wire rack to cool completely. This will ensure they firm up and maintain their shape. Let them cool for at least 1 hour before serving, as they will be easier to handle once fully cooled.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Once the Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites have cooled completely, you can optionally dust them with powdered sugar for a festive touch. If you like, top them with mini chocolate chips or other small decorations for an extra burst of sweetness and texture.

Serve these bites on a decorative platter for a party, or package them up for a beautiful gift. They’re perfect for any occasion, from holiday parties to casual gatherings.