Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably stood in front of the bakery case staring at those gorgeous Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, wondering if you could make something just as delicious at home.

Well, guess what? You totally can! My recipe for Strawberry Cheesecake Bars gives you that perfect combination of buttery shortcake crust, creamy, dreamy cheesecake filling, and juicy fresh strawberries, all with a delightful crumble topping that adds the perfect crunch. And the best part? No fancy equipment needed. Just a bowl, a spoon, and some love. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never go back to store-bought again!

Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Let me tell you why these bars have become my go-to dessert for every occasion:

• No fuss, no stress: Unlike traditional cheesecake, there’s no water bath needed here. Just mix, bake, and enjoy!
• Crowd-pleaser magic: These bars disappear fast at parties. The combination of creamy cheesecake and fresh strawberries makes everyone happy.
• Bakery quality at home: That crumbly topping? The perfect crust? You’ll feel like a professional pastry chef.
• Make-ahead dream: They actually taste better after chilling, so you can bake them the day before your event.
• Easy to customize: Swap strawberries for other fruits or add chocolate chips if you’re feeling fancy.

Seriously, what’s not to love? They’re the dessert that keeps on giving!

Ingredients for Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible bars. I promise it’s all simple stuff you can find at any grocery store. Just gather your ingredients before starting, and you’ll be golden!

• For the crust: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
• For the cheesecake layer: 16 oz cream cheese (softened at room temperature!), 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs (room temp works best), 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• For the strawberry layer: 2 cups diced fresh strawberries (about 1 pint), 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• For the crumble topping: 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted), 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

A quick tip from my many test batches: Make sure that cream cheese is truly softened. I leave mine out for about an hour before baking. Cold cream cheese will leave you with a lumpy filling, and nobody wants that!

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Alright, let’s get to the fun part! Making these Strawberry Cheesecake Bars is easier than you might think. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have perfect bars every time. I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, and these are all my little tricks for success.

Preparing the Crust

First things first, heat your oven to 350°F and line your 8-inch square pan with parchment paper. This is my secret for easy removal later! For the crust, just whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt, then stir in the melted butter until it looks like damp sand.

Here’s my trick: press the mixture firmly into the pan using the bottom of a measuring cup for perfect evenness. Bake it for 10-12 minutes until it’s just set; we want it golden, not brown.

Making the Cheesecake Filling

Now for the creamy part! Beat that softened cream cheese and sugar together until it’s completely smooth, I mean no lumps whatsoever. Scrape the bowl often! Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined.

Overbeating = cracks later. Stir in the sour cream, vanilla, and lemon juice until silky. The lemon juice is my favorite touch, it cuts the richness just right.

Assembling and Baking

Toss those diced strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest; the cornstarch keeps the juices from making everything soggy. Pour the cheesecake batter over the warm crust, smooth the top, then scatter the strawberries evenly.

For the crumble, mix the dry ingredients, drizzle in the butter and vanilla, and pinch it into perfect little clumps before sprinkling over everything. Bake 28-35 minutes until the edges are set, but the center still jiggles slightly. Resist cutting in right away, let it cool completely, then chill for at least 3 hours. I know, the wait is torture, but it’s worth it!

Tips for Perfect Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

After making these bars more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some tricks that guarantee perfect results every time. First, room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable; cold cream cheese will leave you with lumps, and cold eggs won’t blend smoothly. Trust me on this!

That parchment paper liner? It’s your best friend for clean removal. And here’s my golden rule: don’t skip the chilling time. I know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but those 3 hours in the fridge make all the difference for clean slices. Oh, and when cutting, wipe your knife between slices for picture-perfect edges. Your Instagram will thank you!

Storage and Serving Suggestions

These Strawberry Cheesecake Bars keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container. I like to layer them between sheets of parchment paper so they don’t stick together.

For serving, let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes, just enough to take the chill off but still keep that perfect cheesecake texture. They’re amazing with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of melted chocolate if you’re feeling extra fancy!

Variations for Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

One of my favorite things about this Strawberry Cheesecake Bars recipe is how easily you can mix things up! If strawberries aren’t in season, try fresh raspberries or blueberries instead, just keep the same measurements. For a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend in both the crust and topping.

Feeling decadent? Sprinkle white chocolate chips over the strawberry layer before adding the crumble. My neighbor swears by adding a tablespoon of almond extract to the cheesecake filling for extra flavor. The possibilities are endless!

Nutritional Information

I always like to know what I’m eating, so here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown per bar.

Remember, these are just estimates based on my ingredients: Your actual numbers might vary slightly depending on specific brands and measurements. Each delightful strawberry cheesecake bar contains about 260 calories, with 15g of fat (9g saturated), 28g of carbohydrates (1g fiber, 18g sugar), and 4g of protein.

They’re definitely a treat, but totally worth every delicious bite in my opinion!

FAQs About Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Fresh & Fruity Cheesecake Treats to Try

Enchanted by the creamy delight of Strawberry Cheesecake Bars? These fruity desserts are perfect for summer or anytime sweetness calls.

• Mini Caramel Pecan Cheesecakes: Bite-sized richness with sweet caramel and crunchy pecans.
• Raspberry Lemon Heaven Cupcakes: Light cupcakes bursting with citrus and berry flavors.
• Blueberry Lemon Heaven Cookies: Soft, zesty cookies loaded with fresh blueberries.
• Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars: Classic creamy bars with a buttery crust.

Brighten your dessert table with these refreshing favorites after enjoying Strawberry Cheesecake Bars.

Time to Try This Strawberry Cheesecake Bars Recipe

There you have it, my absolute favorite Strawberry Cheesecake Bars Recipe that never fails to impress! I can’t wait for you to try them and see how easy (and delicious) homemade dessert bars can be. Let me know how yours turn out. Tag me on Instagram @recipesbycharlotte, I love hearing your baking stories almost as much as I love sharing mine. Happy baking, friends!

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