Cheesecake Bars
User Reviews
4.6
-
Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Additional Time
8 hrs
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Total Time
9 hrs 10 mins
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Servings
16
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Course
Dessert
Cheesecake Bars
Description
Cheesecake Bars start with a crust made from graham cracker crumbs combined with sugar, optional cinnamon, and melted salted butter. Pressed into a 9x13-inch pan and baked briefly, the crust firms up to provide a sturdy base.
The filling blends softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth, then gradually incorporates eggs, sour cream, and pure vanilla extract to achieve a creamy consistency. Baking at a moderate temperature sets the filling while maintaining its rich, smooth texture typical of cheesecake.
Once cooled, the bars can be sliced for easy serving. The graham cracker crust adds a slight crunch and complementary sweetness to the dense, tangy cream cheese topping.
Using full-fat cream cheese and sour cream is recommended to achieve the desired creamy texture and flavor in the bars. This recipe produces a crowd-friendly dessert that can be prepared ahead and sliced for portioned servings.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 3 cups graham cracker crumbs about 22 full graham crackers crushed in food processor
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 10 tablespoons butter melted, salted
For the filling:
- 32 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 1 /2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 egg at room temperature, large
- ⅔ cup sour cream at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract pure
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are moistened. Evenly press crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake crust in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool on a wire rack while you prepare the filling. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric
- mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add in eggs one at a time, thoroughly incorporating each egg before adding in another. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl from time to time to make sure the filling ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and free of lumps.
- Mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract until the cheesecake filling is smooth and the sour cream is fully incorporated. Pour the cheesecake filling directly over the crust. Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes or until the center appears to be set. You may see some minor cracking around the edges of the bars, this is totally expected. (Mine took 45 minutes to bake.)
- Remove cheesecake bars from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack. After cheesecake is cooled to room temperature, place the pan in the refrigerator to chill for at least 8 hours before serving.
- To serve, cut into squares and top with cherry pie filling, whipped cream with fresh berries, or a simple chocolate ganache.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream for best texture and flavor in the cheesecake bars.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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