Cherry Cheesecake Tacos: A Fun and Easy Dessert for Beginners

Sharing is caring!

Imagine biting into a dessert that’s crispy, creamy, sweet, and tangy all at once. That’s exactly what you get with these Cherry Cheesecake Tacos! This delightful treat is a creative twist on classic cheesecake, combining crunchy, cinnamon-sugar-coated taco shells with a smooth, velvety cream cheese filling and luscious cherry pie topping.

Print

I first discovered this recipe when looking for a fun, mess-free way to enjoy cheesecake without needing hours of prep time. Traditional cheesecakes can be intimidating for beginners, requiring baking, cooling, and setting for hours. But with this version, you get all the delicious flavors of cheesecake in a fun, handheld format—and in less than 30 minutes!

These Cherry Cheesecake Tacos are perfect for beginner cooks because:
✔ They require simple ingredients – most of which you probably already have at home.
✔ They don’t need special equipment – just a muffin tin and a mixing bowl.
✔ They’re quick and easy – no complicated baking techniques!

Let’s get started on making these sweet, crunchy tacos that will impress anyone who tries them.

Ingredients and Preparation

This recipe is divided into three simple parts: the taco shells, the cheesecake filling, and the cherry topping.

For the Taco Shells:

• 6 small flour tortillas (4 to 5-inch street taco size)
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup cold heavy whipping cream

For the Cherry Pie Topping:

• 1 cup cherry pie filling (store-bought or homemade)

Alternative Ingredients for Flexibility:

✅ Instead of graham cracker crumbs, try crushed digestive biscuits, vanilla wafers, or even cinnamon sugar.
✅ Swap cherry pie filling for other fruit toppings like blueberry, raspberry, or strawberry for variety.
✅ If you’re lactose-intolerant, use dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures an even baking temperature so your taco shells turn out perfectly crisp.

Step 2: Prepare the Graham Cracker Coating

In a shallow bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar. This mixture will coat the tortillas, giving them that classic cheesecake crust flavor.

Step 3: Coat the Tortillas

Take each small flour tortilla and brush both sides with melted butter. Then, press each tortilla into the graham cracker mixture, coating it well on both sides.

💡 Beginner Tip: Make sure to press gently but firmly so the coating sticks evenly. If needed, press the tortilla down into the crumbs a second time.

Step 4: Shape the Taco Shells

Flip a muffin tin upside down, and carefully fold each tortilla between the slots to form a taco shell shape.

📌 Why use a muffin tin? It helps hold the tortillas in place as they bake, preventing them from collapsing.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Crisp

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy.

Once done, remove the shells from the oven and let them cool completely before adding the filling.

💡 Beginner Tip: If the shells puff up during baking, poke small holes with a fork before baking to let air escape.

Step 6: Make the Cheesecake Filling

While the shells cool, prepare the filling.

1️⃣ In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth.
2️⃣ Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until well combined.
3️⃣ In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
4️⃣ Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and fluffy.

💡 Beginner Tip: Be gentle when folding the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture—overmixing can make it lose its fluffy texture.

Step 7: Assemble the Cheesecake Tacos

Now comes the fun part—filling the taco shells!

1️⃣ Transfer the cheesecake mixture into a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off).
2️⃣ Pipe the filling into each cooled taco shell, filling it about halfway.
3️⃣ Spoon a generous dollop of cherry pie filling on top.

🎉 And that’s it! Your Cherry Cheesecake Tacos are ready to serve.

Beginner Tips and Troubleshooting

🔹 Tortillas are too soft? Make sure they bake long enough to turn golden and crisp. If needed, bake for an additional 2–3 minutes.

🔹 Cream cheese mixture too runny? This can happen if the cream cheese wasn’t softened properly. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using.

🔹 Shells breaking? Be careful when handling them after baking. Let them cool fully so they firm up.

🔹 Want to save time? You can make the taco shells a day ahead and store them in an airtight container.

Serving Suggestions

These cheesecake tacos are already delicious on their own, but you can take them to the next level with these serving ideas:

🥄 Drizzle with Chocolate: Melt some dark or white chocolate and drizzle it over the tacos for extra indulgence.

🍓 Add Fresh Fruit: Sprinkle on fresh berries, sliced bananas, or even mango for a tropical twist.

🌰 Crunchy Toppings: Try chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or crushed cookies for added texture.

❄ Chill for Extra Refreshment: Pop them in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving for a refreshing, cool treat.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

✅ Storing Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. However, the shells may soften slightly over time.

✅ Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the cheesecake filling in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, simply fill the taco shells and add the cherry topping.

Conclusion: Try It and Share Your Experience!

And there you have it—Cherry Cheesecake Tacos that are easy, delicious, and beginner-friendly! This dessert is great for family gatherings, parties, or just as a sweet treat for yourself.

The best part? No complicated baking skills required! Whether you’re new to the kitchen or an experienced cook looking for a quick dessert, these cheesecake tacos are guaranteed to impress.

Have you tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out! Drop a comment below and share your favorite toppings or variations. Happy cooking! 🎉