Why Make This Recipe
Strawberry Cheesecake Bars are a delightful dessert that is perfect for many occasions. Whether you’re hosting a summer picnic, celebrating a birthday, or simply want to treat yourself, these bars fit the bill. They combine the creamy richness of a traditional cheesecake with the freshness of strawberries and the crunch of a graham cracker crust. It’s a dessert that pleases both the eye and the palate. Plus, they are easier to make than a full cheesecake, so you can enjoy a sweet treat without the fuss.
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Making Strawberry Cheesecake Bars is quite simple and involves just a few steps. Follow the recipe below, and you’ll have a delicious dessert ready to impress your family and friends in no time. Here’s what you need:
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 packages cream cheese (16 ounces total)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups freshly diced strawberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
Directions:
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×9 inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper. This will help you remove the bars easily once they’re done.
Make the Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir the mixture until it is well combined. It should resemble wet sand. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese until it is smooth. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this. Once smooth, add the eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Continue to beat until everything is well mixed and creamy.
Spread the Filling: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the crust you have prepared. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly.
Add Strawberries and Crumble Topping: Top the cheesecake layer with the freshly diced strawberries. In a separate bowl, make the crumble topping by mixing together the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, kosher salt, and melted butter. Sprinkle this crumble over the strawberries.
Bake Everything Together: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know they are done when the center is set but slightly jiggly.
Cool and Chill: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate the bars for at least one hour. This helps the flavors meld together and makes the bars easier to cut.
How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
When you’re ready to serve the Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, take them out of the fridge. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the dish. Place them on a cutting board and cut them into squares or bars. For an extra touch, you can garnish each piece with a dollop of whipped cream or a few more fresh strawberries. These bars can also be served with a drizzle of chocolate sauce or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for some added flair.
How to Store Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
To store your Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to save them for longer, you can freeze them. Cut the bars into squares and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe container, and they can last for up to 2 months in the freezer. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them in the fridge overnight.
Tips to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This will help create a smoother filling with no lumps.
Don’t Overmix: When beating the cream cheese mixture, avoid overmixing, which can incorporate too much air into the batter. This can cause cracks in the cheesecake.
Fresh Strawberries: Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor. Frozen strawberries can be used, but they may release water during baking, resulting in a soggier base.
Cooling Time: Allow the bars to cool properly before refrigerating. This step is important to prevent the cheesecake from becoming rubbery.
Cutting Bars: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars more easily. You can warm the knife under hot water, then dry it before cutting for clean edges.
Variation
If you want to switch things up, there are plenty of variations you can try with this recipe.
Fruit Options: Instead of strawberries, you can use other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. You can also mix fruits for a colorful twist.
Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over the bars before serving for a richer flavor. You can use dark, milk, or white chocolate depending on your preference.
Nut Crust: For a slightly different flavor, try adding crushed nuts like almonds or walnuts into the crust mix for extra crunch and taste.
Spiced Cheesecake: You can spice it up by adding cinnamon or nutmeg to the cheesecake filling for a warm flavor.
Lemon Zest: Adding a teaspoon of lemon zest to the filling can provide a zesty kick, complementing the strawberries beautifully.
FAQs
1. Can I make these bars in advance?
Yes, you can make Strawberry Cheesecake Bars a day or two in advance. Just store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
2. Can I freeze Strawberry Cheesecake Bars?
Absolutely! You can freeze the bars after they have cooled. Just be sure to wrap them tightly so that they don’t get freezer burn.
3. Can I use a different type of crust?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different types of crusts. You could use a cookie crust made from crushed cookies like Oreos or chocolate wafers.
4. What should I do if my cheesecake cracks?
If your cheesecake cracks, don’t worry! It will still taste great. To avoid cracks, do not overmix, and ensure that your oven temperature is accurate.
5. How can I tell when the bars are done baking?
The bars are done when they are set but still have a slight jiggle in the center. They will firm up as they cool.
Enjoy making and sharing these delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Bars with your friends and family! They’re sure to be a hit.
Print
Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful dessert bars combining creamy cheesecake, fresh strawberries, and a crunchy graham cracker crust.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 packages cream cheese (16 ounces total)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups freshly diced strawberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar in a bowl until it resembles wet sand. Press evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Add eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; beat until well mixed and creamy.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the crust and spread evenly.
- Top with diced strawberries. In another bowl, mix flour, light brown sugar, kosher salt, and melted butter to make a crumble topping, then sprinkle over strawberries.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the center is set but slightly jiggly.
- Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting.
Notes
For best results, use room temperature cream cheese and fresh strawberries. Allow bars to cool completely before refrigerating to prevent a rubbery texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg