Irresistible Cheesecake Bars Recipe: 5-Step Sweet Perfection

Cheesecake bars represent a delectable fusion of classic dessert elegance and modern portability.

These irresistible squares deliver concentrated cheesecake goodness in every single bite.

Smooth, velvety cream cheese blends with a crisp, golden graham cracker base to create a heavenly contrast of textures.

Compact and easy to serve, they eliminate the complexities of traditional cheesecake preparation while maintaining exceptional flavor profiles.

Crumbly yet creamy, sweet yet tangy, these bars craft an elegant dessert into a casual, approachable treat.

Weekend gatherings, potlucks, and spontaneous sweet cravings find their perfect match in this versatile confection.

Prepare to elevate your dessert game with a recipe that promises pure, unapologetic indulgence.

Cheesecake Bars: Rich, Creamy, and Easy to Make

• Indulge in Decadent Layers: These cheesecake bars combine creamy, rich textures with a crunchy Oreo cookie base and silky chocolate ganache topping, creating an irresistible multi-dimensional dessert experience.
• Whip Up Effortless Luxury: The recipe requires minimal technical skills, uses simple ingredients, and comes together quickly with standard kitchen equipment like a stand mixer and food processor, making gourmet baking accessible for everyone.
• Customize Your Chocolate Dream: Versatile recipe allows easy substitutions with different chocolate spreads, nut butters, or cookie bases, enabling home bakers to personalize the dessert according to their taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Perfect for Sharing and Celebration: Conveniently cut into 16 neat squares, these bars are ideal for potlucks, parties, or casual gatherings, offering a crowd-pleasing dessert that looks professionally made but is surprisingly simple to prepare.

Key Ingredients for Cheesecake Bars

• Oreo Cookies: Classic chocolate sandwich cookies that form the base of the crust, providing a rich and crumbly foundation.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the cookie crumbs and creates a stable, crisp crust.

• Cream Cheese: The primary component that gives the cheesecake its creamy and rich texture.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and helps create a smooth, silky filling.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps balance the tangy cream cheese.
• Eggs: Bind the filling and help create a stable, smooth texture.
• Peanut Butter: Introduces a nutty flavor and creamy consistency.
• Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread: Adds a decadent chocolate flavor and creamy texture.
• Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.
• Kosher Salt: Balances and intensifies the other flavors in the filling.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, glossy ganache when combined with chocolate.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Provides a rich, smooth chocolate topping for the cheesecake bars.

How to Make Perfect Cheesecake Bars

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Let the cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs sit out until they reach room temperature.

Gather all other ingredients and tools before starting to make things easy.

Step 2: Create the Oreo Crust

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

In a food processor, pulse 20 Oreo cookies, add a pinch of kosher salt, and blend in melted butter.

Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan.

Bake for 10 minutes, then cool the crust on a wire rack.

Step 3: Mix the Cheesecake Filling

In a mixing bowl, beat sugar and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy.

Add sour cream, peanut butter, chocolate-hazelnut spread, vanilla extract, and salt, then mix until fully combined.

Add the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition.

Step 4: Bake the Cheesecake

Pour the filling over the cooled crust and spread it evenly.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center has a slight jiggle.

Let the cheesecake cool for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Step 5: Create Chocolate Ganache Topping

Heat heavy cream until it begins to simmer, then pour it over semisweet chocolate chips.

Let it sit for 2 minutes before whisking until smooth.

Pour the ganache over the chilled cheesecake and let it set at room temperature.

Chill for 1 more hour to firm.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Lift the cheesecake from the pan using the parchment paper sling.

Slice and serve chilled for the best texture and flavor.

Tips for a Smooth and Creamy Cheesecake Bar

• Soften Ingredients Strategically: Let cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs reach room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure smooth, lump-free mixing and consistent texture.
• Crush Cookies Precisely: Pulse Oreo cookies until they become fine crumbs for a uniform, compact crust that holds together beautifully without being too dense.
• Prevent Cheesecake Cracking: Avoid overmixing eggs and bake at a consistent temperature to create a silky, crack-free surface that looks professionally made.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Watch for a slight jiggle in the center when baking; the cheesecake will continue setting during cooling, ensuring a perfectly creamy consistency.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate bars for at least 4 hours to allow flavors to meld and texture to become wonderfully firm and sliceable.

How to Keep Cheesecake Bars Fresh

• Refrigerate leftover cheesecake bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap or wax paper to prevent sticking and preserve moisture. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods that might affect the delicate flavor.
• Reheating requires gentle handling to maintain the creamy texture. Let bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance flavor. Avoid using the microwave, which can make the cheesecake tough and rubbery.
• Freeze extra bars for longer storage by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cheesecake bars will keep up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying, ensuring the best taste and texture.

Best Pairings for Cheesecake Bars

• Pair with Bold Coffee: Dark roast or espresso cuts through the creamy richness of the cheesecake bars, offering a perfect bitter-sweet contrast that enhances the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
• Match with Sweet Dessert Wine: A port or moscato brings out the decadent chocolate notes, complementing the smooth texture and creating a luxurious tasting experience.
• Serve with Nutty Liqueur: Frangelico or amaretto amplifies the hazelnut spread's complexity, adding depth and warmth to each bite of the indulgent cheesecake bars.
• Balance with Sparkling Water: A crisp, chilled sparkling water cleanses the palate between bites, preventing the dessert from feeling too heavy and refreshing your taste buds.

Fun Variations on Cheesecake Bars

• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Replace chocolate-hazelnut spread with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle chopped pecans on top before chilling for added texture and rich caramel flavor.
• Berry Swirl Sensation: Fold raspberry or strawberry preserves into the cheesecake batter, creating beautiful marbled swirls and adding fruity brightness to the classic recipe.
• No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter: Skip the baking process by chilling the mixture in the refrigerator, using graham cracker crust instead of Oreo cookies for a lighter, cooler summer dessert.
• Espresso Chocolate Drizzle: Incorporate instant espresso powder into the cheesecake batter and top with dark chocolate ganache for an intense coffee-chocolate experience.

Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Rich New York-style cheesecake bars showcase silky cream cheese nestled on a buttery graham cracker crust. Delicate layers meld creamy sweetness with crisp texture, inviting you to savor each delightful bite of this classic dessert.

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Ingredients

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Base Layer:

• 20 Oreo cookies
• 5 tablespoons (74 milliliters) unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) kosher salt

Filling Layer:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) full-fat cream cheese
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (188 grams) smooth peanut butter, preferably Skippy or Jif
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (62 grams) chocolate-hazelnut spread, such as Nutella
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) kosher salt

Topping Layer:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) semisweet chocolate chips (about 1 ⅓ cups)
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) flaky salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cream cheese mixture by allowing of cream cheese, sour cream, and 2 large eggs to reach room temperature for optimal blending.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Create a parchment paper sling in a 9×9-inch (23×23 centimeters) baking pan for easy removal. Crush 20 Oreo cookies and kosher salt in a food processor until finely ground. Incorporate melted butter and pulse until the mixture resembles damp sand.
3. Press the cookie crumb mixture firmly into the prepared pan, creating an even base. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Using a stand mixer, cream sugar with the room temperature cream cheese until smooth and uniform in texture.
5. Gradually incorporate sour cream, peanut butter, chocolate-hazelnut spread, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
6. Add eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth, well-integrated batter.
7. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust, spreading evenly with a spatula.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for a slight jiggle in the center, which indicates the ideal doneness.
9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
10. Refrigerate the cheesecake for a minimum of 4 hours to set completely.
11. Prepare the chocolate ganache by heating heavy cream until it reaches a gentle simmer.
12. Pour the hot cream over semisweet chocolate chips. Let the mixture rest for 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth and glossy.
13. Carefully pour the ganache over the chilled cheesecake, ensuring an even coverage.
14. Allow the chocolate topping to firm up at room temperature, then chill for an additional hour.
15. Lift the cheesecake from the pan using the parchment sling, slice into 16 uniform squares, and serve chilled.

Notes

• Whip up this creamy, indulgent dessert that combines the richness of cheesecake with decadent chocolate and nutty spread.
• Ensure all ingredients reach room temperature for smoother mixing and a perfectly textured filling.
• Crush Oreo cookies into fine crumbs to create a delightfully crunchy chocolate crust that melts in your mouth.
• Gently incorporate eggs one at a time to prevent overmixing and maintain a silky-smooth cheesecake consistency.
• Prepare the ganache topping by allowing hot cream to melt chocolate chips into a glossy, luxurious drizzle.
• Chill thoroughly to let flavors meld and achieve that perfect, clean-cutting bar texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 564 kcal
• Sugar: 37g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 39g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 90mg