Strawberry Cheesecake Bars (Printable)

Enjoy these luscious bars with a creamy filling, fresh fruit, and a crisp streusel. Ideal for gatherings or a delightful personal indulgence.

# Components:

→ Crust

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

→ Cheesecake Layer

05 - 16 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 1/4 cup sour cream

→ Strawberry Topping

10 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
11 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
12 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
13 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch

→ Cinnamon Streusel

14 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
15 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
16 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
17 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
18 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter until combined. Press mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes; set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and sour cream until fully incorporated.
04 - Pour cheesecake batter over the baked crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
05 - In a small bowl, toss strawberries with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
06 - Spoon strawberry mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.
07 - In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a fork or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
08 - Sprinkle streusel mixture evenly over the strawberry layer.
09 - Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is just set and the streusel is golden brown.
10 - Cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before slicing into bars.
11 - Lift bars out using the parchment paper, cut into 16 squares, and serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cinnamon streusel transforms an ordinary cheesecake into something cozy and special
  • They transport beautifully for potlucks and picnics without any fancy equipment needed
  • The contrast between tangy cheesecake and sweet strawberries keeps every bite interesting
02 -
  • Rushing the chilling time will result in messy bars that fall apart when you try to cut them
  • The center should still have a slight wobble when you remove it from the oven because it continues cooking
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the cheesecake layer from seizing or becoming grainy
03 -
  • Run your knife under hot water and wipe it clean between cuts for perfect slices
  • Use a scale to measure the flour if you want consistent results every time
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