The BEST Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars Recipe
These Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars feature a creamy, smooth cheesecake filling over a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with a luscious homemade strawberry sauce and drizzled with melted white chocolate. Perfectly balanced in sweetness and texture, these bars are ideal for dessert lovers looking for an easy yet impressive treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 11–12 full crackers)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp butter (melted)
Filling
- 2 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
Strawberry Sauce
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries (chopped)
- 5 tbsp sugar
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp cornstarch
Topping
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with a parchment paper sling and spray it lightly with baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and melted butter until evenly mixed. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan using a flat measuring cup or tamper to create an even crust layer.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, use hand beaters to blend softened cream cheese, ½ cup granulated sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape the bowl sides to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed just until incorporated. Be careful not to overmix to keep the filling smooth and avoid cracking.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust in the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool to room temperature, about 1-2 hours. Then refrigerate in the pan for 3-4 hours until fully chilled and firm.
- Prepare the Strawberry Sauce: While the bars bake, combine chopped strawberries, 5 tablespoons sugar, water, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring often, until thickened and deep red, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Slice Cheesecake Bars: Once chilled, use a large, sharp knife to slice the cheesecake into 8-10 equal bars for serving.
- Add Strawberry Sauce: Spoon or use an offset spatula to spread the cooled strawberry sauce evenly on top of each bar, pushing it gently to the edges. (Optional: create a small well in the center of each bar to hold more sauce as described in notes.)
- Drizzle White Chocolate: Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate to a zipper bag, cut a tiny hole in the corner, and drizzle it decoratively over the bars.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately or keep refrigerated until serving to enjoy a cool, creamy dessert.
Notes
- For the classic Philadelphia Snack Bar style, after slicing the bars, use the back of a small spoon to gently create a shallow well in the center of each bar before adding the strawberry sauce, allowing the sauce to pool nicely.
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Do not overbake the cheesecake bars; the center should remain slightly jiggly to ensure a creamy texture after chilling.
- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor in the sauce; frozen can be used but may alter consistency slightly.
- Storage: These bars can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars, Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, Cream Cheese Dessert, No-Bake Topping, Homemade Strawberry Sauce
