4th Of July Nilla Wafer Cheesecake Bites
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These 4th Of July Nilla Wafer Cheesecake bites are easy, no-bake treats that are perfect for all your summer celebrations. Topped with sweet and creamy red, white, and blue cheesecake filling, they’ll be the star at your next party.
Vanilla Wafer Mini Cheesecake Bites
From laid-back schedules to pool parties and cookouts, I love everything about summer. That includes the summer treats. I never show up to a gathering without them and this Cool Whip Cheesecake is one of my go-to desserts.
But summer also means 4th of July parties, which is where these no-bake mini cheesecakes come in. Patriotic colors add a festive touch to these fun, bite size desserts and you’ll love how easy they are. Just top NILLA wafers with a cheesecake filling, add sprinkles, and assemble them in the shape of the American flag. So cute!
Need a the perfect drink to serve with them? Try this Patriotic Punch! Or take the party to a whole new level with these 4th of July Jello Shots!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Versatile: You can change the colors up to fit the theme of whatever party you’re throwing. Use spring colors for Easter or even red and green for Christmas.
- Easy recipe: This cheesecake recipe is super easy to make using just a few simple ingredients.
- Festive treats: The patriotic colors and flag design make them the perfect 4th of July dessert.
Ingredients
- NILLA Wafers
- Cream cheese
- Heavy whipping cream
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Red and blue food coloring
- Festive sprinkles
- Vanilla frosting (optional)
How To Make Mini Cheesecakes with Vanilla Wafer Crusts
Step 1. Start by making rows of NILLA Wafer cookies on a cookie sheet. Make nine rows across and seven rows down.
Step 2. Whip the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
Step 3. Combine the softened cream cheese and sugar with a little vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure it is well mixed.
Tip: Dab the bottom of the vanilla wafer cookies with a little bit of frosting before arranging them. This will help the cookies stay in place if you need to move the tray.
Step 4. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
Step 5. Separate the cheesecake batter into three bowls. I used a little less for the blue because there weren’t as many blue NILLA Wafers on the flag.
Step 6. Using a decorating bag, top the nine cookies in the top left corner with the cheesecake filling. This will resemble the American flag when you’re finished. Add white sprinkles to each.
Step 7. Top the rest of the wafers with red and white cheesecake, starting with red and alternating the colors in each row.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Variations and Add-ins
- Crust: You can make the crust with other round cookies too (we love using Golden Oreo cookies).
- Extracts: Feel free to change up the flavor. You can swap the vanilla for almond, coconut or lemon extract. You could even use strawberry and blueberry extracts for the red and blue cheesecake.
- Different toppings: Instead of adding food coloring, you can top the cheesecakes with fresh fruit to resemble the flag. Add blueberries, raspberries or strawberries to get the colors you need.
Top Tips
- Don’t forget to soften your cream cheese first. This will help make it smooth and creamy, without any lumps. However, once you’ve added it to the piping bags, you can stick it in the fridge if it needs to firm up a little.
- If the cheesecake mixture is a little too thick, add a little splash of heavy cream. If you want a citrus flavor, add a little fresh lemon juice to thin it out.
- This is one of those desserts where regular cream cheese works best. Low-fat cream cheese does not hold its shape and may cause a looser filling.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but just don’t assemble them too soon. I like to save time by making the cheesecake mixture the day before, adding it to the piping bags and storing it in the refrigerator. You’ll want to wait until about 3 hours before serving to top the cookies though. If you top them too soon, the Nilla Wafers won’t be quite as crunchy.
For best results, I don’t recommend freezing the assembled cheesecakes. If you want to freeze the cheesecake mixture for later, put it into a freezer bag and squeeze all the air out before sealing. For an extra layer of protection, wrap the bag in aluminum foil.
The cheesecake should stay good for up to 3 months. To defrost, just let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
When you cream together the sugar and cream cheese, be sure the cream cheese is at room temperature. If your filling seems lumpy, just set it aside for about 30 minutes and try mixing it again.
More No-Bake Desserts
- No Bake Pumpkin Lasagna
- Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bites
- No Bake Chocolate Mousse
- Peanut Butter and Coconut Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
4th Of July Nilla Wafer Cheesecake Bites
Ingredients
- 63 NILLA Wafers
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 tbsp vanilla
- red and blue food coloring or gel
- white sprinkles
Instructions
- Start by making rows of NILLA Wafer cookies on a cookie sheet. Make nine rows across and seven rows down.63 NILLA Wafers
- Whip the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form.3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- Combine the softened cream cheese and sugar with a little vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure it is well mixed.8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 tbsp vanilla
- Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- Separate the cheesecake mixture into three bowls and color them with red, white and blue food coloring. I used a little less for the blue because there aren't as many blue NILLA Wafers on the flag.red and blue food coloring or gel, white sprinkles
- Using a decorating bag, top the nine cookies in the top left corner with the cheesecake filling. This will resemble the American flag when you’re finished. Add white sprinkles to each.
- Top the rest of the wafers with red and white cheesecake, starting with red and alternating the colors in each row.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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These are absolutely gorgeous and sound delicious. Fantastic recipe! Thanks!
Thank you so much!
Those are adorable! I’m sure they taste awesome too!
Thanks…they really do!!!