Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

Whew! It was 40some degrees here yesterday! Talk about a heat wave! Since I'm the forever optimist, I'm telling myself spring is just around the corner. But before spring comes there are some wonderful holidays on their way. My personal favorite is Ground Hog's Day...only because I finally find out when spring will be here! (I know it's not actual science but I seriously hate cold weather and it gives me something to look forward to.) Right after that is the smooshy-gooshy, lovey-dovey, national go-out-and-drink-if-you're-single Valentines Day!

I never really enjoyed this "holiday" until I met my husband. I was never truly in love with someone until I met him either, which is probably why I like this day now. The word romantic will never be used to describe my hubby, which is perfectly fine because I am cheesy romantic enough for the both of us. But on Valentine's Day that completely changes. He buys me flowers and my favorite chocolates, he leaves me little notes and surprises that I find throughout the day, and he calls me constantly just to say I love you. When he gets home we get super dressed up and go to one of our favorite fancy restaurants in downtown Indianapolis. We stuff ourselves with amazing steaks and amazing desserts and amazing wine. Then we come home and cuddle up with our full bellies and appreciate being so in love. It's a great day.

Speaking of desserts...V-Day was also the inspiration for my newest treat!

These are so darn yummy! My hub loves cheesecakes and so I wanted to make these especially delicious for him. He also loves vanilla wafers, and that's what I used for the crust. While spooning in the buttery wafer crumbs, I had a great idea...why not bend the spoon to help with pressing down the crust?! Duh!

I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this, but it was just one of those moments where you're like "Why didn't I think of this years ago?!" I know you can use your fingers and get the same results, but I'm one of those OCD clean people that doesn't always like to get messy. I already wash my hands a million times while making anything, and this little idea took it down to 999,999 times :) Hubby ended up loving the homemade wafer crust and the sweet cakes that went on top!

Nom! Nom!

 They're so tiny yet packed with so much flavor. They are the perfect treat for Valentine's Day or really any day and just the right size to eliminate any guilt that follows after eating cheesecake. Awesome!

Ingredients:
For crust:
15-20 Vanilla wafers, crushed
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp butter, melted

For Filling:
1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 Cup sugar
1 egg 
1-2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla
 1/2 Cup Strawberry Preserves

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or fill with cup holders of your choice. Set aside.

Mix together the ingredients for the crust in a bowl and spoon into the bottom of the muffin pan. Make sure to press the mixture down firmly. Bake for about 5 minutes, then remove and let cool. Don't turn the oven off, though. In your mixer combine the cream cheese, and sugar together until mixed well, then add the egg. Once fully incorporated add the lemon juice and vanilla. Spoon the mixture onto the cooled crusts and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove and let cool completely before refrigerating.

When ready to serve, top with strawberry preserves and whipped cream. Enjoy!

So what are your plans for this coming Valentine's Day? Are you single and ready to mingle? Are you so in love you gross everyone out around you? Anyone thinking they might get the BIG question popped?! Love to hear your plans!

Thanks for stopping by!

**I linked up to future expat, serenity now, the country cook, simple living eating, bloom designs, the self sufficient homeacre, buns in my oven, designed decor, coastal charm, smiling sally, between naps on the porch, by stephanie lynn, diy hshp, the chicken chick