Salty-Sweet Dulce De Leche Cheesecake Bars
Indulge in the rich, creamy delight of these Dulce De Leche Cheesecake Bars, a perfect blend of sweet and salty that will tantalize your taste buds. The buttery graham cracker crust serves as a flavorful foundation for a luscious cream cheese filling swirled with smooth dulce de leche, creating a dessert that is simply irresistible. Each bar is topped with a glossy glaze of even more dulce de leche, adding a decadent finish to this perfect treat. Whether served at a gathering, special occasion, or simply enjoyed at home, these cheesecake bars are sure to impress with their delightful flavor and appealing presentation. Chill before serving to enhance the texture and flavor, making them an ideal make-ahead dessert.
N/A
Servings
133
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Nonstick vegetable cooking spray
as needed
Finely ground graham crackers
2 1/4 cups (from approximately 17 whole graham crackers)
Sugar
2 tablespoons
Ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon
Unsalted butter
10 tablespoons, melted
Philadelphia-brand cream cheese
3 packages (8 ounces each) (at room temperature)
Sugar
1 cup
Large eggs
3
Dulce de leche
1/2 cup (store-bought is fine)
Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons
Dulce de leche
2/3 cup
Heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons, or more
Fleur de sel
optional
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal baking pan with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.
2
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the finely ground graham crackers, sugar, and ground cinnamon. Pour in the melted unsalted butter and stir until the mixture is evenly coated.
3
Transfer the crust mixture to the prepared baking pan and press it down firmly and evenly across the bottom. Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
4
For the filling, in a food processor, blend the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as necessary (about 1 minute). Add the eggs one at a time, blending for 3 to 5 seconds between additions. Then, add the dulce de leche and vanilla extract, processing briefly until blended.
5
Spread the cream cheese batter evenly over the cooled graham cracker crust.
6
Bake the cheesecake bars until the center is just set, and the edges are puffed and slightly cracked, about 38 minutes. Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack.
7
To prepare the glaze, combine the remaining dulce de leche and heavy whipping cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 10-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted. If the glaze is too thick, add more cream, one teaspoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
8
Pour the warm glaze over the cooled cheesecake bars, spreading it evenly across the top. Refrigerate the bars for at least one hour, allowing them to chill (the glaze will remain soft).
9
For the best presentation, cut the cheesecake into 4 lengthwise strips, then slice crosswise into 6 bars, yielding 24 bars. If desired, sprinkle fleur de sel over the top for a delightful salty-sweet finish.
Nutrition Information
7.7
Fat
2
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Salty-Sweet Dulce De Leche Cheesecake Bars?
They are a decadent dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust and a creamy cream cheese filling swirled with dulce de leche, topped with a dulce de leche glaze and optional sea salt.
What kind of crust is used for these cheesecake bars?
The bars use a crust made from finely ground graham crackers, sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted unsalted butter.
How many packages of cream cheese are required?
The recipe calls for three 8-ounce packages of cream cheese.
What brand of cream cheese is recommended?
The recipe specifically mentions Philadelphia-brand cream cheese.
How many graham crackers are needed to make the crust?
You will need approximately 17 whole graham crackers to produce 2 1/4 cups of fine crumbs.
Can I use store-bought dulce de leche?
Yes, store-bought dulce de leche is perfectly acceptable for this recipe.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long should the graham cracker crust bake?
The crust should be baked for about 10 minutes until it is lightly golden.
How do I prepare the cheesecake filling?
Blend cream cheese and sugar in a food processor, add eggs one at a time, and then process briefly with dulce de leche and vanilla extract.
Should the eggs be added all at once?
No, eggs should be added one at a time, blending for 3 to 5 seconds between each addition.
How long do the cheesecake bars need to bake?
The bars should bake for approximately 38 minutes.
How can I tell when the bars are finished baking?
The bars are done when the center is just set and the edges are puffed and slightly cracked.
What are the ingredients for the glaze?
The glaze is made from dulce de leche and heavy whipping cream.
How is the dulce de leche glaze prepared?
Combine the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 10-second intervals, stirring until fully melted.
What should I do if the glaze is too thick?
If the glaze is too thick, add more heavy whipping cream one teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
How long should the bars chill before serving?
The bars should be refrigerated for at least one hour to allow them to chill and set.
How many bars does this recipe yield?
The recipe yields 24 bars when cut into 4 lengthwise strips and 6 crosswise slices.
What is the best way to cut the bars for presentation?
Cut the cheesecake into 4 lengthwise strips, then slice those crosswise into 6 bars each.
Is the fleur de sel mandatory?
No, the fleur de sel is an optional topping for those who want a salty-sweet finish.
Why is chilling the bars recommended?
Chilling enhances the flavor and improves the texture of the cheesecake bars.
Can I make these cheesecake bars in advance?
Yes, these are an ideal make-ahead dessert because they require time to chill.
What size baking pan should be used?
Use a 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal baking pan.
Should the baking pan be greased?
Yes, the pan should be lightly coated with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.
What is the calorie count for these bars?
Each bar contains approximately 133 calories.
How much protein is in a serving?
There are 2 grams of protein per serving.
How much sugar goes into the crust?
The crust requires 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Is there cinnamon in the recipe?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon is included in the crust mixture.
What temperature should the cream cheese be for the filling?
The cream cheese should be at room temperature for smooth blending.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
How much butter is used in the crust?
The crust uses 10 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.