Creamy no-bake coconut cheesecake in a crisp, flaky mini fillo shell topped with a sweet pineapple topping and garnished with fresh pineapple and a maraschino cherry. A dessert twist on the popular Pina Colada drink.
I’ve teamed up with Athens Foods this month to share four delicious recipes. I posted the first recipe, Phyllo, Parmesan, Bacon Asparagus Bundles, earlier in the month; a savory recipe perfect to serve as an appetizer or side dish. The next three recipes are all mini desserts that are made with Athens Mini Fillo Shells.
I’ve turned tropical drink flavors in to luscious dessert bites, and dressed them up like you would tropical drinks. My tropical cheesecake bites, Pina Colada, Strawberry Margarita, and Orange Sunrise, would be fabulous any time of year, but especially fun for a New Years Eve party.
They’re super easy to make; filled with a creamy, no-bake cheesecake then topped with an easy-to make fresh fruit topping and garnished with fresh fruit skewers.
The first cheesecake bite recipe I’m sharing is my Pina Colada Cheesecake Bites. The cream cheese is flavored with coconut extract, sweetened shredded coconut, and just a little bit of sour cream to add a little bit of tanginess.
I used the whole juice button on my Blendtec blender to blend the fresh pineapple. I was surprised how well pineapple blended, and there was very little pulp that needed to be strained away. It makes me want to make fresh pineapple juice more often. It’s so much better than the canned juice, but you could substitute canned pineapple in a pinch.
If you have any pineapple topping left, I recommend using it to top pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
These cheesecake are best eaten the day they are made, but you can make the filling and topping a day ahead, and then just fill the shells the day you’ll be serving the bites.
Happy holidays!
No-Bake Pina Colada Cheesecake Bites
Ingredients
- 2 boxes Athens® Mini Fillo Shells 30 shells
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons coconut extract
- ¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups diced fresh pineapple
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 15 marachino cherries for garnish
- 15 pineapple tidbits for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare pineapple topping: Puree pineapple in a blender or food processor to create mostly pineapple juice. Press pureed pineapple through a fine mesh strainer in to a small saucepan. In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon sugar and cornstarch. Stir into the pineapple juice in the saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and is clear. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
- (Optional: Crisp up the fillo shells in a preheated 350° on a baking sheet for 3 – 5 minutes, until golden browned and crispy. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.)
- In a small mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and coconut extract until smooth. Stir in coconut.
- Fill each shell with the cream cheese mixture. Top each with one to two teaspoons of pineapple topping. Garnish with a pineapple tidbit and a cherry on a toothpick or skewer.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Athens Foods, but all opinions expressed are always my own. Visit Athens Foods for more great Fillo Dough recipes.
Be sure and check out my How to Cut a Pineapple post to make cutting the pineapple easy.
Here’s a fun collage for you to pin:
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
I’m guilty of being a pina colada addict and I don’t do too bad on cheesecake either. 🙂 Winner for me.
Adri
What a lovely dessert. And don’t you just love those shells? I have some in my freezer all the time now! Happy New Year to you!
Carol
What a beautiful presentation the 3 of these on a tray makes. Those pina colada bites look delicious. Believe it or not, I’ve never bought the mini filo cups……but I’ll be looking for them at the grocery store now! These would be great to take to a party.
Thank you Barbara!
A belated Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year to you and your family. 🙂
Barbara Schieving
Thanks Carol! You need to give them a try. So fun and easy to make quick appetizers and desserts. Wishing you a wonderful new year!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
These SO cute mum! I love the bite size of these too although I suspect I might have multiple mouthfuls 😛 Merry Christmas mum!! Love, Lorraine xxx
Winnie
Those tartlets look so yummy, and soooo festive! I use those shells for tea parties. I fill them with lemon curd and whipped cream, and for savory bites I fill them with egg salad. Can’t wait to try your idea! My cookie swap was a bit hit. I am going to try the recipes you sent after the holiday so I can be ready with new ones next year. Thanks for all the sharing, and Merry Christmas.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
Those phyllo cups make the best appetizers – I love what you did with the flavors of pina colada!
Betty
All of these look good- perfect for a party! 🙂
Amanda
These are ADORABLE!!!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
This is one of the few drinks that I will order when I am out, because I can order a virgin one if I am driving.
I love love love cheesecake. Of course no bake flies high. Party ready bites!
Nicole
These are the cutest little bite sized desserts! I love sweets with a pina colada flavor.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
These are so adorable! The fillo shells are so delicious and versatile.
Happy Holidays!
Angie
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite books
These look delicious! and perfect for any party!
Happy Holidays !!
Carla
I love those mini fillo shells and the fact that you turned them into pina colada cheesecake. I’d eat the whole tray myself!
2 Sisters Recipes
ADORABALE !! Genius too! We could eat about a dozen of these! Love them!
Have a Merry Christmas Barbara!
xoxo Anna and Liz
Linda
I had to scroll through a lot of content but never did find the recipe for the Tropical Cheesecake Bites.
Emily Bites
How cute are these? I love the Athens mini fillo shells, they’re so versatile. Can’t wait to try, thanks for posting!
Naomi
i love how convenient those Athens cups are! These are adorable.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
These are absolutely stunning! I want to make them for New Years Eve!
Alida
Yum! These are so cute! Love those mini fillo shells.
Rosa
A great idea! Lovely bites.
Happy Holidays and best wishes for 2015!
Cheers,
Rosa
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
I love these phyllo cups!!! I love filling them with a spinach/pine nut/feta mixture. Yum!