These magical Unicorn Cheesecake Bites transform a simple cream cheese and cake mix combination into dazzling, rainbow-colored treats that will brighten any dessert table. The bite-sized treats feature a creamy, strawberry-funfetti interior coated in vibrant candy melts and finished with whimsical sprinkles. Perfect for birthday parties, special celebrations, or anytime you need to add a touch of enchantment to your day!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Baking Required: Skip the oven entirely! These delightful treats come together without any baking, making them perfect for hot summer days or when you don’t want to wait for something to bake.
- Crowd-Pleasing Colors: The vibrant rainbow coating isn’t just beautiful—it’s downright magical! Children and adults alike won’t be able to resist these colorful delights.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare these cheesecake bites ahead of time for parties or special events, giving you one less thing to worry about on the big day.
- Customizable: Change up the colors and sprinkles to match any theme or holiday throughout the year while keeping the same delicious base recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Funfetti Strawberry Cake Mix: This forms the foundation of our cheesecake bites, providing structure and that signature strawberry flavor with colorful specks throughout. Make sure to heat treat it first for food safety!
- Cream Cheese: Creates that rich, tangy cheesecake texture we all love. The softer it is, the easier it will blend with the other ingredients.
- Unicorn Sprinkles: These add a pop of color and texture to both the inside mixture and as decoration on top. They’re what gives these treats their magical unicorn quality!
- Candy Melts (Pink, Purple, Blue, Yellow): These create the vibrant, smooth coating that makes our cheesecake bites truly eye-catching. Each color will coat about 7 bites for a beautiful assortment.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to make these cheesecake bites your own? Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Seasonal Themes: Switch up the colors for holidays—orange and black for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, or pastels for Easter.
- Different Cake Mixes: Try chocolate, red velvet, or classic vanilla cake mix for completely different flavor profiles.
- Add Extracts: Enhance the flavor with a drop of almond, vanilla, or lemon extract in the cheesecake mixture.
- Textured Toppings: Add crushed cookies, toasted coconut, or chopped nuts on top of the wet candy coating for extra dimension and flavor.
How to Make Unicorn Cheesecake Bites
Step 1: Heat Treat the Cake Mix
Place the dry cake mix in a medium heat-safe bowl. Microwave for two 30-second intervals, stirring after each. This step is crucial for food safety! Allow the cake mix to cool completely before proceeding.
Step 2: Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture
Beat the softened cream cheese with a handheld mixer on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and creamy. Add the cooled cake mix and 3 tablespoons of sprinkles, then mix just until well incorporated.
Step 3: Chill the Mixture
Cover the cheesecake mixture tightly and refrigerate for 2 hours. This makes it easier to handle and roll into balls.
Step 4: Form the Cheesecake Balls
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the chilled mixture and roll into neat balls. Place them on the prepared sheet.
Step 5: Prepare the Candy Coatings
In four separate heat-safe bowls, melt each color of candy melts in 30-second microwave intervals, stirring well after each until smooth and fully melted.
Step 6: Coat the Cheesecake Balls
Roll each cheesecake ball in one of the melted candy colors. Place coated balls on a fork, tap off excess, and use a spoon to cover any missed spots. A toothpick helps transfer them back to the parchment paper.
Step 7: Add Sprinkles and Set
While the coating is still wet, sprinkle additional unicorn sprinkles on top. Allow the coating to harden completely before serving.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This is non-negotiable! Cold cream cheese will leave lumps in your mixture that no amount of mixing can fix.
- Patience with Cooling: Let the heat-treated cake mix cool completely before mixing with cream cheese, otherwise it might cause the cream cheese to melt.
- Chilling Matters: Don’t rush the chilling process—those 2 hours in the refrigerator make all the difference in handling the mixture.
- Working with Candy Melts: If your candy coating starts to thicken while you’re working, reheat it in 15-second bursts until smooth again. A few drops of vegetable shortening can also help thin it out if needed.
- Assembly Line Approach: Set up a station with all your coatings ready to go for the most efficient process. It helps to have a helper for the sprinkle step!
How to Serve
These Unicorn Cheesecake Bites shine as the star of any dessert table, but here are some serving suggestions to make them even more special:
Party Presentation
Arrange these colorful bites on a tiered white serving platter for maximum visual impact. The white background makes the rainbow colors pop!
Complement with Simplicity
Pair with simple vanilla ice cream or plain sugar cookies to let these vibrant treats be the showstopper.
Drink Pairings
Serve with milk for kids or champagne for adults at special celebrations. The creamy cheesecake flavor pairs beautifully with both!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store the finished cheesecake bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Freezing
These freeze beautifully! Place in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.
Thawing
Thaw frozen cheesecake bites in the refrigerator overnight. Allow them to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
FAQs
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Why do I need to heat treat the cake mix?
Raw flour in cake mix can potentially contain harmful bacteria. Heat treating kills any potential pathogens, making it safe to eat in this no-bake recipe. Never skip this important food safety step!
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Can I use regular cake mix instead of funfetti strawberry?
Absolutely! Any flavor cake mix works wonderfully in this recipe. Classic vanilla, chocolate, or even lemon would make delicious alternatives to the unicorn theme. Just make sure to heat treat any cake mix you use.
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My candy melts are too thick. What should I do?
If your candy melts become too thick for smooth dipping, add a teaspoon of vegetable shortening or coconut oil and reheat in 15-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Never add water, as it will cause the candy to seize.
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Can I make these ahead for a party?
Definitely! These cheesecake bites are perfect for advance preparation. You can make them up to 3 days before your event and store them in the refrigerator. They actually taste even better after the flavors have had time to meld together.
Final Thoughts
These Unicorn Cheesecake Bites aren’t just a treat for the taste buds—they’re a feast for the eyes that brings pure joy with every colorful bite. Whether you’re planning a birthday celebration, looking for a fun weekend project with kids, or simply want to add some magic to an ordinary day, these no-bake wonders deliver smiles without complicated techniques or ingredients. The combination of creamy cheesecake filling with a crisp candy shell creates the perfect textural contrast that makes these little bites utterly irresistible. So gather your sprinkles and unleash your inner unicorn—delicious magic awaits!
Print
Unicorn Cheesecake Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 28 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Unicorn Cheesecake Bites are a fun, colorful, and magical treat perfect for parties or special occasions. These no-bake delights combine the creamy richness of cheesecake with the playful colors of unicorn-inspired candy melts and sprinkles. Easy to make and bursting with whimsy, these bite-sized portions will be a hit among kids and adults alike!
Ingredients
Cheesecake Mixture
- 15.25 ounces funfetti strawberry cake mix with candy bits (unicorn cake mix)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons unicorn sprinkles (or multi-colored sprinkles)
Decorations
- 1 cup pink candy melts
- 1 cup purple candy melts
- 1 cup blue candy melts
- 1 cup yellow candy melts
- 1/3 cup unicorn sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Treat the Cake Mix:
Add the dry cake mix to a medium-sized heat-safe bowl. Microwave the cake mix in two 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval. This step ensures the cake mix is safe to eat. Allow the cake mix to cool completely before using it in the cheesecake mixture. - Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture:
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, use a handheld mixer on medium-high speed to beat the cream cheese until smooth (1½ to 2 minutes). Sprinkle the cooled dry cake mix and 3 tablespoons of sprinkles over the cream cheese, and mix until well incorporated. Cover tightly and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours. - Form the Cheesecake Bites:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the cheesecake dough. Roll each portion into a ball and place it on the prepared baking sheet. - Melt the Candy Coatings:
Divide the candy melts into four small heat-safe bowls (one color per bowl). Microwave each bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until completely melted and smooth. - Coat the Cheesecake Bites:
Roll one cheesecake bite in one of the melted candy colors. Place the coated bite on a fork and gently tap to remove excess coating. Use a spoon to cover any bare spots. If needed, use a toothpick to gently push the coated bite onto the parchment paper. - Decorate with Sprinkles:
While the coating is still wet, sprinkle the unicorn sprinkles over the top for decoration. Repeat this process with each cheesecake bite, using different candy melt colors. Set the bites aside to allow the coating to harden completely before serving.
Notes
- Always bring cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps in the cheesecake mixture.
- If desired, you can chill the uncoated cheesecake bites overnight before decorating. Let them sit at room temperature briefly before coating to prevent cracking.
- If the candy melts thicken while working, reheat them in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth.
- Use a toothpick to aid in moving or removing the coated bites during the decorating process.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 120kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
