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Soft Strawberry Cheesecake Bars


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  • Author: Sally Thompson
  • Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Soft Strawberry Cheesecake Bars are creamy, rich, and packed with sweet strawberry flavor layered over a soft buttery crust. This easy dessert recipe is perfect for spring gatherings, summer parties, holiday dessert tables, or simple weekend baking. The smooth cheesecake filling combined with fresh strawberry swirls creates a bakery-style treat that looks beautiful and tastes even better after chilling. Whether you need easy dessert ideas, strawberry dessert recipes, cheesecake bars, or make-ahead sweet treats, these bars are always a crowd favorite.


Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 large eggs

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped

1/3 cup strawberry jam


Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease the paper for easy removal.

2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine chopped strawberries, strawberry jam, and lemon juice. Cook until slightly thickened, then allow the mixture to cool completely.

3. In a large bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.

4. Add flour, baking powder, and salt to the butter mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.

5. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to create the crust layer.

6. In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.

7. Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and mix well. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add the remaining vanilla extract.

8. Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the crust layer.

9. Spoon the cooled strawberry mixture over the cheesecake filling and gently swirl using a knife or toothpick.

10. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the center still has a slight jiggle.

11. Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating for at least 4 hours.

12. Slice into squares and serve chilled.

Notes

Use room-temperature cream cheese for the smoothest cheesecake filling.

Do not overbake the bars because the center continues setting as the cheesecake cools.

For perfectly clean slices, chill the bars overnight and wipe the knife clean between cuts.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 24g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg