Remember those summer days picking strawberries at the local farm? The sun was beaming, the air smelled sweet, and your hands were stained pink by the time you got home. It's those memories that inspired this recipe for Strawberry Cheesecake Bars. So, ditch the complicated recipes and long ingredient lists. Let’s get into this super easy and super yummy recipe, my friends. Ohh, and don’t forget to try the brownies as well!
These bars are a delightful twist on a classic dessert, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or just a sweet treat on a sunny afternoon. The combination of the buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and burst of fresh strawberry flavor is simply irresistible. What makes them so darn good? The simplicity! They're way easier than baking a whole cheesecake, and honestly, just as satisfying. In fact, one of my friends told me that the first time she made these, her whole family was just raving about them for days!
The best part? You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already. A little bit of graham crackers, some butter, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and of course, those juicy, ripe strawberries – that’s all you need to whip up a batch of these little slices of heaven. I know you'll love how easy and delicious these Strawberry Cheesecake Bars are. They're a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and they're sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection. Trust me, once you try them, you'll be hooked!
Strawberry Cheesecake Bars offer a creamy, dreamy twist on a classic dessert, combining a buttery graham cracker crust with a luscious strawberry-infused cheesecake filling. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, these bars are perfect for any occasion!
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield:16 servings
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will make it easy to lift the bars out later—trust me, it's a lifesaver!
In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create an even crust. You can use the bottom of a measuring cup to really pack it in there.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. This helps it set up and prevents it from becoming soggy later. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps! This might take a few minutes, but it's worth it for that perfect cheesecake texture.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can incorporate too much air and cause the cheesecake to crack.
Gently fold in the strawberry puree until it's evenly distributed throughout the batter. Don't go crazy stirring; just enough to get that lovely pink color and strawberry flavor.
Pour the strawberry cheesecake filling over the partially baked crust, spreading it out evenly. If you want, you can swirl in a little extra strawberry puree on top for a pretty marbled effect.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is just slightly jiggly. The cheesecake will continue to set as it cools.
Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake bars cool in the oven with the door slightly ajar for about an hour. This helps prevent cracking by allowing the cheesecake to cool gradually.
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature. Then, cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time is crucial for achieving that perfect cheesecake texture.
Once the cheesecake bars are thoroughly chilled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out of the pan. Cut them into squares and garnish with fresh strawberries, if desired. Serve cold and enjoy!
Make sure you don't get too excited and cut into the bars before they are properly chilled – patience is key!
📝 Notes
For an extra touch, swirl a bit of strawberry jam on top before baking.
Garnish with fresh strawberries or a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.
Use a high-quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.