Strawberry cheesecake bars are a delicious and convenient way to enjoy the classic dessert in a more portable form. Here’s a simple recipe to make them:
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter
For the cheesecake filling:
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream (optional for added richness)
For the strawberry topping:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Make the crust:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs and sugar.
- Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is evenly moistened.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 8–10 minutes, or until slightly golden. Set aside to cool.
3. Make the cheesecake filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add sugar and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until well combined.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- If using sour cream, fold it in now.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled graham cracker crust, spreading it out evenly.
4. Bake the cheesecake bars:
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and slightly firm to the touch. It should still have a slight jiggle.
- Turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake bars to cool in the oven with the door slightly ajar for about 1 hour.
- Then, transfer the bars to the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
5. Prepare the strawberry topping:
- While the bars are chilling, prepare the strawberry topping. In a small bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice.
- Let it sit for about 30 minutes to release the juices and create a syrupy consistency.
6. Serve:
- Once the cheesecake bars have chilled, remove them from the refrigerator.
- Top with the strawberry mixture just before serving.
- Slice into bars and enjoy!
Tips:
- For a smoother topping, you can mash some of the strawberries or make a quick strawberry compote by cooking them down with a bit of sugar.
- You can make these ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
These strawberry cheesecake bars are a refreshing, indulgent treat, perfect for a party or a casual dessert!
