Easy and creamy Cheesecake Bars with a buttery graham cracker crust make a delicious dessert for any occasion. These crowd-pleasing bars are simple to make and perfect for slicing and sharing.
Cheesecake Bars are a delicious twist on classic cheesecake, offering all the creamy richness in a convenient, handheld form. With a buttery graham cracker crust and smooth, tangy filling, these bars are perfect for parties, potlucks, or whenever you need a simple yet impressive dessert.
They’re easy to slice, easy to serve, and always a crowd favorite. If you love cheesecake as much as we do, you should try our Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe, Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars, or our Churro Cheesecake Recipe. If you love dessert bars, also try Pumpkin Bars Recipe and Easy Pecan Pie Bars Recipe.
Keto fans might like Keto Cheesecake Recipe.
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: No need for a water bath or springform pan. These bars are much simpler than traditional cheesecake.
- Perfect Portions: Cut into squares, they’re ideal for serving at parties, gatherings, or as a grab-and-go treat.
- Customizable: Add toppings like fruit, chocolate, or caramel to make them your own.
- Creamy Texture: Rich, smooth, and velvety, every bite melts in your mouth.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These bars store well in the fridge, making them great for prepping ahead of time.
Ingredients
Crust
- Graham Crackers – Crushed into fine crumbs to create a classic buttery cheesecake base.
- Brown Sugar – Adds a deeper, rich sweetness; try using Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe for extra flavor.
- Butter – Melted to bind the crust together and add richness.
Cheesecake Filling
- Cream Cheese – Softened at room temperature for a smooth and creamy texture.
- Sugar – White granulated sugar sweetens the filling just right.
- All Purpose Flour – Helps stabilize the filling; spoon into the measuring cup to avoid packing.
- Large Eggs – Use at room temperature so they blend evenly into the batter.
- Sour Cream – Adds a slight tang and enhances the creamy texture.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Lemon Juice – A touch of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor and balances the richness.
Find the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Switch Up the Crust – Instead of a traditional graham cracker crust, try using crushed Oreo cookies, gingersnaps, or shortbread cookies for a different flavor and texture. Just mix your chosen base with melted butter and a bit of brown sugar to help it hold together.
- Add a Syrup Drizzle – After the bars are chilled and sliced, drizzle with chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or a rich chocolate ganache for a decadent finishing touch.
- Top with Fruit Sauce – A berry compote, raspberry sauce, or even cherry pie filling makes a delicious fruit topping that pairs beautifully with the tangy cream cheese filling.
- Mix-Ins – Stir mini chocolate chips, crushed toffee, or swirls of peanut butter into the filling for a fun twist.
- Zesty Flavors – Add a little orange or lime zest to the filling for a citrusy upgrade that complements the richness of the cheesecake.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 8 X 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Step 2 – Crush the graham crackers in a food processor to make graham cracker crumbs.
Step 3 – Mix together the crust ingredients including sugar in a medium size mixing bowl. Then press this mixture into the bottom of the square baking pan.
Step 4 – Then cream together the cream cheese, flour and sugar until light and fluffy with an electric mixer on medium speed.
Step 5 – Reduce the speed to medium and add in the sour cream, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla and salt. Mix the cheesecake batter until smooth.
Step 6. Pour the cream cheese mixture on the crust.
Step 7. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until set and slightly firm. Allow the mixture to cool completely at room temperature on a wire rack and then chill in the refrigerator before cutting and serving. Make sure to use a sharp knife.
Pro Tips
- Cut Smaller Bars – These cheesecake bars are rich and creamy, so smaller portions go a long way. Cutting them into bite-sized squares makes them great for serving at parties or gatherings.
- Avoid Overmixing – When incorporating the eggs into the cheesecake batter, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to cracks or a dense texture.
- Use a Food Processor for the Crust – To easily crush graham crackers into fine crumbs, use a food processor. If you don’t have one, a rolling pin and zip-top bag work well too.
- Mixing the Filling – A stand mixer or hand mixer both work great. Just be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are evenly blended.
- Room Temperature Ingredients – For the smoothest filling, bring the cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream to room temperature before mixing. This prevents lumps and ensures a creamy texture.
- Line the Baking Pan – Use parchment paper to line the pan, leaving an overhang for easy lifting. This makes it much easier to remove the cheesecake and slice it cleanly.
- No Water Bath Needed – Unlike traditional cheesecake, these bars do not require a water bath, making the process simpler and less messy while still delivering a rich, creamy texture.
Toppings
- Ground Cinnamon – A light sprinkle of cinnamon adds a warm, cozy flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy cheesecake.
- Whipped Cream – Top each bar with a dollop of Homemade Whipped Cream for an extra indulgent treat. You can pipe it on for a decorative finish.
- Fresh Fruit – Add color and brightness with fresh fruit like sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or kiwi. This balances the richness with a touch of freshness.
- Caramel or Chocolate Drizzle – For a more decadent option, drizzle with Homemade Caramel Sauce or melted chocolate.
- Crushed Nuts – Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the top for a crunchy texture contrast.
Storing
Refrigerator – Store cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days. For best texture and flavor, allow them to chill for at least a few hours after baking before serving.
Freezer – Cheesecake bars freeze well. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Serving Tip – If frozen, allow the bars to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before enjoying for a creamier texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Allow the mixture to cool completely at room temperature and then chill in the refrigerator before cutting and serving. Chill the bars for a minimum of 4 hours but overnight is ideal so that they can fully set.
Then use a plastic throw away knife to cut the cheesecake bars, cleaning the knife after each slice.
Cheesecake is done when the center is set and will have a slight jiggle to it. Allow cheesecake to cool completely. As the cheesecake cools, the center will set.
This is the perfect dessert to make in advance. Because you want to allow cheesecake time to cool, I try to make this dessert the night before serving. Then when I am ready to serve you can add your favorite topping.
I love desserts that I am able to make in advance. We tend to make more desserts during the holidays. Plus, I am usually busy with holiday cooking, so I make desserts that I can prepare 1 to 2 days in advance.
More Easy Cheesecake Bars
- Oreo Cheesecake Bars Recipe
- Slutty Cheesecake Bars
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
- Easy Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bites Recipe
- German Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
- Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
Make this classic cheesecake recipe today for a decadent treat. Please leave a comment once you make it. I love to hear from you.
Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 8 full Graham Crackers crushed into crumbs
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 4 Tbsp Butter melted
- 1/8 tsp Salt
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz Cream Cheese softened at room temperature
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 3 Large Eggs
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 2 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- 1/8 tsp Salt
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 8X8 baking pan with parchment paper or foil.
- Crush up the graham crackers in a food processor to make graham cracker crumbs.
- Mix together the crust ingredients in a medium size mixing bowl. Then press this mixture into the bottom of the 8X8 baking pan.
- Then cream together on high with a hand held mixer or stand up the mixer, the cream cheese, flour and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Reduce the speed to medium and add in the sour cream, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla and salt. Mix until well combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture onto of the crust in the 8X8 baking pan.
- Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until set and slightly firm.
- Allow the mixture to cool completely at room temperature and then chill in the refrigerator before cutting and serving. Chill the bars for a minimum of 4 hours but overnight is ideal so that they can fully set.
- Enjoy!
