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Cheesecake Bars

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These Cheesecake Bars with their silky smooth filling and buttery graham cracker crust are a simple way to make classic cheesecake for a crowd. Top these bars with your favorite fruit-based sauce, caramel, or even chocolate ganache for so many ways to customize them. 

Plated cheesecake bars topped with various toppings: caramel, raspberry sauce, and fresh fruit

If you happened to catch my recipe for Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding, you might remember me telling you that we like to treat our chiropractor to sweet treats.

Sure, those treats might help us out when we need to be squeezed into his schedule, but he’s also the absolute nicest guy. And not to mention, he’s very enthusiastic with with his dessert reviews – which is something that I just adore about him.

We took him several pieces of these cheesecake bars a few weeks ago and he hasn’t stopped talking about them since. Even proclaiming this cheesecake recipe to be better than his mom’s “blue ribbon winning cheesecake.” And I think that’s saying something.

Although these cheesecake bars are pretty basic, I think the crust is what makes them better than “blue ribbon winning.” It’s little on the thicker side, extra buttery, and the hint of cinnamon adds just a little something special.

Ingredients for cheesecake bars arranged on a white countertop

CHEESECAKE BARS FOR A CROWD

If you don’t know by now, I have a deep love for making cheesecake recipes. If I have the choice between making a cake or a pie or a cheesecake, I’ll pick a cheesecake almost every time.

But as much as I love making cheesecakes, they aren’t always as great for feeding a crowd or taking to a gathering. But cheesecake bars? That’s where it’s at.

Cheesecake bars are great because you can make them in a 13×9-inch pan, they don’t require a water bath for baking, and you can easily cut them into as many pieces as you need, whether you want to serve large pieces or a lot of smaller bars.

Graham cracker crumbs mixed together with butter and sugar for a graham cracker crust

As much as I love making recipes like Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, No-Bake Cheesecake Bars, Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars, and Maple Streusel Cheesecake Bars, there’s just something about that classic vanilla cheesecake flavor that you can’t beat. 

These bars take that classic cheesecake filling and graham cracker crust and make them easy to share with as many friends as you like.

Graham cracker crust in the bottom of a 13x9-inch pan

HOW TO MAKE CHEESECAKE BARS

If you’ve never made a cheesecake before, these bars are a great place to start. 

Start by making the crust. Mix together all of the crust ingredients, then press the mixture into the bottom of a prepared 13×9-inch pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes and let it cool while you prepare the filling.

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. 

Cheesecake bar filling in a white mixing bowl

Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each egg before adding the next one. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed to make sure the filling gets well mixed.

Add the sour cream and vanilla and mix until the filling is silky smooth and everything is fully combined. Pour the filling directly over the crust and bake until the center is set, about 45 minutes.

You may see some cracks around the edges, but this is normal. And something you can easily cover later with a topping!

Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack. Once they are at room temperature, place the pan in the refrigerator to chill for at least 8 hours before serving.

Unbaked cheesecake bars in a foil-lined 13x9-inch pan

TIPS AND TRICKS

Like I said, I’ve made a LOT of cheesecake in my life, so I have a few tips and tricks for making the BEST cheesecake bars:

  • Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature. Yes, really! Set out your cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream ahead of time so they can come up to temp – this will make for a much smoother filling. Forget to set them out early? Learn how to bring eggs to room temperature and how to soften cream cheese.
  • Line the pan. Line the pan with foil or parchment paper before you add any of the ingredients to it. Once the bars are fully chilled, you’ll be able to lift them out of the pan and slice them so much more neatly.
  • Don’t skimp on the mixing. Make sure you take the time to mix everything really well. Don’t try to rush this process!
  • Scrape the sides of the bowl often. Use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl frequently throughout the mixing process. This will make sure you get every little bit of cream cheese and sour cream mixed in – we don’t want any lumps in our filling!
Overhead view of sliced cheesecake bars on parchment paper

HOW TO CUT CHEESECAKE BARS CLEANLY

If I’m being honest, there has maybe been a time or two when I have dug right into the pan with my fork when eating these cheesecake bars. But I’m guessing that most of you probably want to know how to cut these bars into nice clean slices.

Make sure you let the bars chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours before you attempt to slice them. Once they are fully chilled, use the foil or parchment paper overhang to gently lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board.

Plated cheesecake bar topped with raspberry sauce

Take a large, sharp knife and run it under very hot water, or dip it into a container of hot water, for a few seconds. Immediately wipe it dry on a clean tea towel, then make a cut into the cheesecake bars.

Use a paper towel to wipe the knife clean and repeat for each cut.

Submerging the blade of the knife in hot water for just a few seconds and wiping it dry will heat up the blade just enough that it will make a nice clean cut though the filling.

It might seem tedious to wipe the blade clean and warm it up for each cut you make, but going slow and not rushing will make sure you get those beautiful slices!

Caramel sauce being drizzled on top of a sliced cheesecake bar

WAYS TO SERVE THESE BARS

These bars are so flavorful on their own, but they are also a blank slate for adding any number of toppings you can think of!

Try them with fresh fruit and a dollop of homemade whipped cream. Or reach for your favorite homemade blueberry sauce or raspberry sauce for a different fruity twist! 

Love caramel? You can’t go wrong with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.

Want a chocolatey take? Grab some homemade fudge sauce or a simple chocolate ganache.  

You can really let your imagination run wild when it comes to topping these cheesecake bars!

Plated cheesecake bar topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit

STORING AND FREEZING

Before you cut these cheesecake bars, you can tightly cover the pan and store them in the refrigerator in the same pan you baked them in.

Once you slice the bars, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. If you need to stack the bars in the container, make sure to place a layer of parchment paper or waxed paper between the layers. 

The bars will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Cheesecake bar drizzled with caramel sauce, with a bite taken out of the corner

Obviously this recipe makes quite a few servings, so if you want to make cheesecake bars for a smaller group of people, feel free to freeze the leftovers for up to 1 month.

Cut the bars into slices and wrap each one well in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. Place in the freezer.

When you want to enjoy a cheesecake bar, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or set out at room temperature for about 2 hours.

Plated cheesecake bar topped with raspberry sauce

Cheesecake Bars

Yield: 12-16 bars
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 10 minutes

These Cheesecake Bars with their silky smooth filling and buttery graham cracker crust are a simple way to make classic cheesecake for a crowd. Top these bars with your favorite fruit-based sauce, caramel, or even chocolate ganache for so many ways to customize them. 

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 3 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 22 full graham crackers crushed in food processor)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
  • 10 tablespoons salted butter, melted

For the filling:

  • 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 1 /2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup sour cream, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are moistened. Evenly press crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake crust in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool on a wire rack while you prepare the filling. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. 
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric
  4. mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. 
  5. Add in eggs one at a time, thoroughly incorporating each egg before adding in another. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl from time to time to make sure the filling ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and free of lumps.
  6. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract until the cheesecake filling is smooth and the sour cream is fully incorporated. Pour the cheesecake filling directly over the crust. Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes or until the center appears to be set. You may see some minor cracking around the edges of the bars, this is totally expected. (Mine took 45 minutes to bake.)
  7. Remove cheesecake bars from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack. After cheesecake is cooled to room temperature, place the pan in the refrigerator to chill for at least 8 hours before serving.
  8. To serve, cut into squares and top with cherry pie filling, whipped cream with fresh berries, or a simple chocolate ganache.

Notes

Full-fat cream cheese and sour cream are recommended for this recipe

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Nutrition Information
Yield 16 Serving Size 1 bar
Amount Per Serving Calories 478Total Fat 31gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 129mgSodium 328mgCarbohydrates 44gFiber 1gSugar 35gProtein 6g

Did you make this recipe?

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Laurie Masters

Monday 10th of April 2023

4-10-23 I made these for Easter this year. Only had a hand mixer, but that didn’t matter. These turned out beautiful. The crust is delicious, the cheesecake so smooth! The aluminum foil trick is genius, although next time I will try and find a heavier foil. This is the richest, creamiest cheesecake bars, EVER! I only had 4 people for dinner so everyone went home with a piece or two of this dessert. Thank you so much for the recipe.

Jamie

Monday 10th of April 2023

So happy to hear this, Laurie! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking! Jamie

Debra

Friday 7th of April 2023

Why do you line the pan with foil? Could it be made without lining with foil?

Jamie

Monday 10th of April 2023

Hi Debra – Lining the pan helps to make it easier to get the bars out of the pan after baking. You could try lining with parchment if you prefer. Hope this helps – Jamie

Sally Thompson

Saturday 26th of November 2022

Everyone loved them for Thanksgiving. I topped them with2/3 cup sour cream 1/3 cup sugar 1tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp cinnamon bake 10 min more I have never had a smoother cheesecake.I chilled them over night took them out and cut into slices gave them a piece of pumpkin pie and a slice of Cheesecake. Too good thanks for the recipe

Jamie

Monday 5th of December 2022

So glad you loved these, Sally! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking!

Ezra

Thursday 27th of October 2022

can I add items to the cheese mix like chocolate, cocoa powder or even tinned strawberries etc.. your thoughts. Like can I use this recipe as a base?

Jamie

Friday 28th of October 2022

Hi Ezra – You certainly could do that, although the base might have to be tweaked slightly depending on what you add. I recommend checking out my cheesecake archives for some ideas: https://www.mybakingaddiction.com/cheesecake/ Happy baking! Jamie

Janine

Friday 8th of July 2022

I absolutely love the idea of making Cheesecake into squares, but was wondering if I can take my recipe for Key Lime CC and turn it into squares instead of the Springform pan and a water bath ? I understand that because the squares pan is larger, the amount of the ingredients is alittle larger. Like, your squares recipe calls for 4- 8oz packages of Cream Cheese but my Key Lime recipe calls for 3- 8oz Cream cheese. So could I increase my ingredients to match your recipe and then add the key lime juice and flour from my recipe ?

Jamie

Monday 18th of July 2022

Hi Janine – It's hard to know for sure how it would work without giving it a try. If you do try it, I'd love to hear how it goes. Happy baking! Jamie

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