Summer Delight Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Indulge in the taste of summer with these delectable Strawberry Cheesecake Bars! Creamy and luscious cheesecake rests on a buttery graham cracker crust, perfectly complemented by a vibrant strawberry topping. This no-fuss dessert is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or simply treating yourself to a sweet end to your day. With an easy-to-follow method and some downtime to allow the flavors to meld, these bars will become a favorite in your recipe collection. Enjoy the burst of fresh strawberries in every bite!
N/A
Servings
525
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Graham crackers
9 (Whole crackers, broken into pieces)
Sugar
1/2 cup
All-purpose flour
3/4 cup
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Unsalted butter
8 tablespoons (Melted)
Cream cheese
1 1/2 lbs
Sugar
1 cup
Eggs
3 large
Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons
Strawberries
6 ounces (Hulled (for topping))
Strawberries
5 (Hulled (for garnish))
Sugar
1/2 cup
Sour cream
2 cups
Sugar
1 teaspoon (For strawberry garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Prepare a 13-by-9-inch baking pan by creating a foil sling. Fold two long sheets of aluminum foil, the first one should be 13 inches wide and the second one 9 inches wide. Place the sheets in the pan perpendicularly to each other, ensuring the edges hang over the sides. Smooth the foil flush against the pan and spray it lightly with vegetable oil spray.
2
For the crust, use a food processor to finely grind the broken graham crackers with 1/2 cup of sugar for about 30 seconds. Incorporate the all-purpose flour and salt by pulsing the mixture twice more. Add the melted butter and pulse about 10 times until the crumbs become evenly moistened.
3
With your hands, evenly press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use the bottom of a dry measuring cup to firmly pack the crust. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until fragrant and beginning to brown at the edges. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
4
For the cheesecake filling, clean the food processor bowl and add 1 1/2 pounds of cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar. Process until the mixture is completely smooth, which will take about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides as necessary. Add the eggs one at a time while the processor runs, incorporating each egg fully before adding the next, which should take around 30 seconds in total. Finally, add the vanilla extract and process for another 10 seconds.
5
Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust and return it to the oven. Bake until the center is almost set but still has a slight jiggle, about 45 minutes.
6
While the cheesecake is baking, prepare the topping. In a clean food processor bowl, blend 6 ounces of hulled strawberries with 1/2 cup of sugar until pureed, approximately 30 seconds. In a separate bowl, combine the strawberry puree with 2 cups of sour cream until well mixed.
7
After 45 minutes, remove the cheesecake from the oven and carefully pour the strawberry mixture over the top, ensuring it covers the cheesecake completely. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the topping to set.
8
Remove the cheesecake from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, which will take approximately 2 hours. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours, to set. Before serving, slice the remaining 5 strawberries thin and lightly toss them with 1 teaspoon of sugar. When ready, lift the cheesecake out of the pan using the foil overhang, cut into 24 squares, and garnish each with a slice of strawberry.
Nutrition Information
36g
Fat
45g
Carbs
7g
Protein
1.4g
Fiber
28.75g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Summer Delight Strawberry Cheesecake Bars?
They are a delectable dessert featuring creamy cheesecake on a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a vibrant strawberry and sour cream layer.
What size baking pan is required for this recipe?
A 13-by-9-inch baking pan is required.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
The oven should be preheated to 300°F (150°C).
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Create a foil sling using two perpendicular sheets of aluminum foil and spray it lightly with vegetable oil spray.
What ingredients are needed for the graham cracker crust?
You need 9 graham crackers, 1/2 cup of sugar, 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 8 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.
How long does the crust need to bake?
The crust should bake for approximately 20 minutes until fragrant and browning at the edges.
How much cream cheese is used in the filling?
The filling requires 1.5 pounds of cream cheese.
How long should I process the cream cheese and sugar?
Process them for about 3 minutes until the mixture is completely smooth.
How should the eggs be incorporated into the cheesecake filling?
Add the eggs one at a time while the food processor is running, ensuring each is fully incorporated.
How long is the initial bake time for the cheesecake filling?
The filling bakes for about 45 minutes until the center is almost set but still has a slight jiggle.
How do I make the strawberry topping?
Puree 6 ounces of hulled strawberries with 1/2 cup of sugar, then combine the puree with 2 cups of sour cream.
How long does the cheesecake bake after adding the strawberry topping?
It bakes for an additional 15 minutes to allow the topping to set.
How long should the bars cool on a wire rack?
They should cool completely on a wire rack for approximately 2 hours.
What is the required refrigeration time?
Refrigerate the bars for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours, to allow them to set.
How many squares does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 24 squares.
How is the garnish prepared?
Slice 5 strawberries thin and lightly toss them with 1 teaspoon of sugar.
How do I remove the bars from the pan?
Lift the cheesecake out of the pan using the foil overhang before cutting.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 525 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 36 grams of fat.
How much protein is in each square?
Each square provides 7 grams of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 45 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much sugar is in each bar?
Each bar contains approximately 28.75 grams of sugar.
What is the fiber content of the bars?
Each bar has 1.4 grams of fiber.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I use a food processor for this recipe?
Yes, a food processor is used to grind the crust, smooth the filling, and puree the strawberry topping.
Is this dessert suitable for potlucks?
Yes, these bars are perfect for potlucks, picnics, or sweet treats for any day.
What type of strawberries are used for the topping?
The topping uses 6 ounces of hulled strawberries.
How much vanilla extract is added to the filling?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include dessert, strawberries, cheesecake, bars, summer treats, and easy baking.
How much sour cream is needed for the topping?
You will need 2 cups of sour cream for the strawberry topping.