Strawberry Cheesecake Bars Recipe: A Delicious, Layered Treat Perfect for Any Occasion
Craving a dessert that’s both simple and impressive? These Strawberry Cheesecake Bars combine creamy cheesecake, fresh strawberries, and a buttery graham cracker crust for the perfect treat. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, they’re a must-try for beginner bakers looking to create something delicious with minimal effort. Let’s dive in and make these irresistible bars!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients for the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups (126 g) graham cracker crumbs (roughly 10–12 crushed graham cracker sheets)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
Ingredients for the Cheesecake Filling:
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups (332 g) freshly diced strawberries
Ingredients for the Crumble Topping:
- ¾ cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. The parchment paper should cover the bottom and sides of the dish so you can easily lift the bars out later. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Stir the mixture until it resembles wet sand—this will ensure that the crust holds together well. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. It’s important to press down gently but firmly to create a solid, even base. Once the crust is in place, it’s time to bake it for 8-10 minutes or until it turns golden brown. After baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely. This will ensure that the cheesecake filling doesn’t get too soft when you add it to the crust. - Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
While the crust is cooling, it’s time to prepare the cheesecake filling. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and kosher salt with a hand mixer until smooth. Be sure to mix everything on medium speed to avoid over-mixing. The goal is to have a velvety, creamy texture without lumps. Once the filling is smooth and well-combined, spread it evenly over the cooled graham cracker crust. It should cover the crust completely. After the cheesecake filling is spread, it’s time to add the fresh strawberries. Dice the strawberries into small pieces and scatter them evenly over the cheesecake filling. The strawberries will release a little juice while baking, adding even more flavor to the bars. - Prepare the Crumble Topping
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, light brown sugar, and kosher salt. Then, add the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms a crumbly dough. The consistency should be similar to sand with small lumps, and it should hold together when pressed. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the diced strawberries. Be generous with the crumble, as this will create a delicious, crispy layer on top of the creamy cheesecake. - Bake the Bars
Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know the bars are done when the crumble topping is golden brown and the cheesecake filling is set. The filling should not jiggle when you gently shake the pan. If you notice any cracks forming on the surface, that’s perfectly normal and won’t affect the taste or texture. After baking, remove the bars from the oven and place them on a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process usually takes about 1 hour. Once they’ve cooled to room temperature, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill the bars for at least 2 hours before serving. The bars will firm up as they chill, making them easier to cut into squares.
Notes
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Always make sure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature before mixing them together. Cold cream cheese can lead to a lumpy filling, and cold eggs can prevent the mixture from fully incorporating.
- Chill the Bars: The cooling and chilling step is crucial to ensuring the bars set properly. Don’t skip the refrigeration step! Chilling helps the bars firm up, making them easier to cut and ensuring they hold together.
- Mix the Topping Gently: When preparing the crumble topping, mix the butter in slowly to avoid making the mixture too wet. The goal is to have small crumbs that will form a beautiful topping once baked.
- Customizable Toppings: Feel free to experiment with different fruits or toppings. Blueberries, raspberries, or peaches can be used in place of the strawberries for a different flavor. You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the crumble for added warmth and spice.