Oh my goodness, do I have a heavenly treat for you today! Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars! I can’t even tell you how much I adore these little squares of bliss. Not only do they combine the rich decadence of cheesecake with the light, summery freshness of strawberries, but they’re also a showstopper at every gathering. I remember the first time I made these bars for a potluck; they practically vanished in minutes!
It was a bright summer day, and I was experimenting in my kitchen when I came up with this recipe. The kids chowed down while my friends begged for the recipe. I think they loved the creamy cheesecake layer that bursts with strawberry flavor, and the way the graham cracker crust and crumb topping melds together is just divine. If you’re a fan of all things strawberry and cheesecake, this is a must-try recipe that will quickly become a staple in your home!
What’s in Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars?
Let’s break down the delicious components of this recipe and get to know our ingredients better:
Graham Cracker Crumbs: These guys are the base of our crust. I love using the honey-flavored ones for a hint of sweetness, but plain works just fine too!
Unsalted Butter: Essential for binding the crust and the crumb topping together, it also adds richness. Trust me when I say that using unsalted is key to controlling the overall flavor.
Granulated Sugar: We’ll use this in both the crust and topping for a balance of sweetness in every bite. If you want a lighter option, coconut sugar can be a great alternative.
Cream Cheese: The soul of our cheesecake filling! Go for full-fat cream cheese for a creamier texture—no one ever complained about a little extra creaminess, right?
Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness while keeping the texture smooth and velvety.
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries pureed for flavor! You can use frozen strawberries as well, but make sure to thaw and drain them first.
Vanilla Extract: Just a bit adds depth to the flavors. I absolutely love using pure vanilla extract—it’s a game-changer!
Whipped Cream: We’ll fold this into the cheesecake filling to keep it light and fluffy. Homemade whipped cream can turn up the deliciousness level even more.
All-Purpose Flour: This is for our crumb topping, helping create that delightful crunchy texture on top of our creamy cheesecake.
Now, let’s see how we bring these beauties to life!
Ingredients for Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars
– **For the crust:**
– 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
– ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
– ¼ cup granulated sugar
– **For the cheesecake filling:**
– 16 oz cream cheese, softened
– ¾ cup powdered sugar
– 1 cup strawberries, pureed
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 cup whipped cream (for folding in)
– **For the crumb topping:**
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– ½ cup granulated sugar
– ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
– ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
*Serves: 12 generous squares (or smaller, if you want to share…or not!)*
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars?
Alright, let’s get cooking! Here’s how to whip up these dreamy bars step-by-step:
1. **Prepare the crust:** Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix it all together until it’s well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×9 inch baking pan. Pop it into the oven for 8-10 minutes until it’s lightly golden, then let it cool while you move to the next steps.
2. **Make the cheesecake filling:** In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy—just like a dreamy cloud! Gradually add the powdered sugar while continuing to mix. This step is crucial for the texture! Now, toss in your pureed strawberries and vanilla extract, mixing until it’s all nicely incorporated. Gently fold in the whipped cream. Don’t rush this; we want the mixture to stay light and fluffy.
3. **Assemble the cheesecake:** Spread that beautiful cheesecake filling evenly over your cooled crust, and let’s move on to the crumb topping!
4. **Prepare the crumb topping:** In a separate bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and graham cracker crumbs. Add the cold diced butter, and using a pastry cutter or fork, mix until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. It should be crumbly but not overly uniform.
5. **Add topping and bake:** Sprinkle that crumb topping generously over the cheesecake layer. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes—keep an eye on it until it turns a lovely golden brown!
6. **Chill and serve:** Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature (if you can resist the smell!). Then, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before you slice into squares. To make them special, garnish with additional strawberry pieces just before serving!
Delicious Tips and Variations You’ll Love!
– Want to kick it up a notch? Drizzle some chocolate sauce over the top before serving for a rich contrast to the strawberry flavor.
– These bars are also fabulous with other fruits! Try pureeing raspberries or blueberries for a different twist.
– If you’re short on time, store-bought graham cracker crumbs and whipped cream will work beautifully in a pinch!
I can’t wait for you to make these Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars—they bring a smile that matches the brightness of summer! I hope they create as many sweet memories for you as they have for me. Don’t forget to share your creations and any tweaks you make; I love hearing how everyone puts their own spin on things! Happy baking! 🍓
