Irresistible Strawberry Cheesecake Bars: Your Go-To Summer Dessert
As spring transitions into the glorious warmth of summer, my kitchen invariably fills with the sweet aroma of fresh strawberries. Among the many delightful berry desserts I create, these Strawberry Cheesecake Bars consistently emerge as a clear favorite, truly hitting all the right notes!
Imagine the perfect harmony of textures and flavors: a rich, buttery shortbread crust, a luxuriously smooth and tangy cheesecake filling, and a vibrant layer of luscious, ripe sliced strawberries on top. This delightful trio transforms humble ingredients into a truly spectacular and effortlessly elegant dessert.
Why These Strawberry Cheesecake Bars Are a Must-Try
These aren’t just any dessert bars; they’re a masterful blend of the best elements from various sweet treats. Here’s why you absolutely need to make them:
- A Symphony of Textures and Flavors: With a sturdy, sugar cookie-like shortbread crust, a creamy, thin cheesecake layer, and an abundant topping of juicy, perfectly sliced strawberries, these bars defy a single category. Are they sophisticated cookie bars? A simplified cheesecake? Or perhaps a delightful hybrid of both? Ultimately, their deliciousness is undeniable, offering a satisfying bite every time.
- Celebrate Strawberry Season: This recipe is the quintessential way to savor the bounty of strawberry season. The focus is perfectly balanced between the sweet, slightly tart fresh strawberries and the rich, velvety cheesecake, allowing both stars to shine. It’s a celebration of seasonal produce at its finest.
- Your Cheesecake Fix, Simplified: Craving cheesecake but don’t want the commitment of a thick, traditional slice? These Strawberry Cheesecake Bars offer all the decadent flavor and creamy texture you desire in a convenient, easy-to-serve format. They provide that classic cheesecake experience without the fuss, making them ideal for casual gatherings or a delightful personal treat.
- Effortlessly Impressive: Despite their gourmet appearance and incredible taste, these bars are surprisingly straightforward to prepare. They look stunning on any dessert table, making you seem like a seasoned baker with minimal effort. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for potlucks, parties, or family dinners.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: From casual backyard barbecues to elegant brunches or celebratory events like baby showers, these cheesecake bars fit right in. Their appealing presentation and universally loved flavor profile make them a versatile dessert choice for any gathering.
Key Ingredient Notes for the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Achieving the perfect flavor and texture in your Strawberry Cheesecake Bars starts with understanding your ingredients. Here’s a closer look:
- Kitchen Staples: Brown Sugar, Flour, Granulated Sugar – These form the backbone of your delicious shortbread crust and contribute to the cheesecake’s sweetness and structure. Ensure your flour is all-purpose for the best results.
- Cream Cheese – This is the heart of your cheesecake layer. It’s absolutely crucial that your cream cheese is at room temperature. Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy, uneven filling, no matter how much you blend it. Opt for full-fat cream cheese for the richest, creamiest texture.
- Sour Cream – Also at room temperature, sour cream adds a subtle tang that beautifully balances the sweetness of the cream cheese, contributing to a wonderfully smooth and complex cheesecake flavor. It also helps achieve that desirable silky consistency.
- Egg – A room temperature egg is vital for easy incorporation into the batter, ensuring a smooth, cohesive cheesecake filling. It acts as a binder, giving the cheesecake its structure and preventing it from cracking.
- Lemon Juice – Always use fresh lemon juice! The bright, zesty flavor of fresh lemon cuts through the richness of the cheesecake and enhances the natural sweetness of the strawberries. Bottled lemon juice simply won’t offer the same vibrant taste.
- Vanilla Bean Paste (or Extract) – Vanilla bean paste, with its delightful specks of vanilla seeds, offers a more intense and aromatic vanilla flavor. However, an equal amount of high-quality vanilla extract can be substituted without compromising too much on taste. I often prefer the Nielsen-Massey brand for both its paste and extract.
- Sliced Strawberries – The star of the show! Select red berries that boast a beautiful sheen and fresh, green leaves. Avoid berries with green or white areas near the stem, as this indicates they were picked too early and won’t be as flavorful or sweet. You’ll typically need 8-12 medium to large strawberries, depending on their size. If your berries aren’t as sweet as you’d like, a light toss in a touch of granulated sugar will enhance their flavor.
- Currant Jelly – This is used for glazing the berries, providing a beautiful shine and a subtle, fruity sweetness that seals in the strawberry flavor. Brands like Tiptree/Wilkins & Son LTD offer excellent quality. If currant jelly is hard to find, any clear red jelly, such as raspberry or even a light strawberry jelly, will work as a fantastic substitute. The goal is a clear glaze that highlights the natural beauty of the strawberries.
Pro Tips for Making Perfect Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Just like any cheesecake, a few insider tips can elevate your Strawberry Cheesecake Bars from good to absolutely outstanding. Follow these pointers for the best possible results:
- Line Your Pan for Easy Removal: Always line your 8×8-inch baking pan with non-stick foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This simple step not only ensures easy removal of the baked bars without sticking but also makes cleanup a breeze! No more scrubbing stubborn residue from your pan.
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Non-Negotiable: For the cheesecake topping, it is absolutely essential that all your refrigerated ingredients—cream cheese, sour cream, and egg—are at room temperature. Cold cream cheese, especially, will not blend smoothly, leaving you with lumps in your cheesecake layer. Room temperature ingredients emulsify better, creating a silky, consistent batter.
- Choose the Freshest Berries: The visual appeal and flavor of your bars heavily depend on the quality of your strawberries. Make these bars when you can find truly beautiful, red, and fragrant berries. Their vibrant color and sweet aroma will make a significant difference in both presentation and taste.
- Glaze for Shine and Protection: Glazing the berries with a warm jelly (like currant or raspberry) is an optional but highly recommended step. It adds a beautiful, glossy sheen that makes the bars look even more enticing, and it also helps to prevent the cut strawberries from drying out or losing their vibrant color too quickly.
- Don’t Overmix the Cheesecake Filling: Once you’ve added the egg, mix just until combined. Overmixing can incorporate too much air into the batter, which can lead to cracks in the cheesecake as it bakes and cools. A gentle hand will ensure a dense, creamy texture.
- Chill Thoroughly: Patience is key! After baking, allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before transferring them to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1-2 hours. This chilling period allows the cheesecake to set properly, making the bars easier to slice cleanly and ensuring a firm, delicious texture.
A Sweet Celebration: Our Virtual Baby Shower Tradition
This recipe holds a special place in my heart, born from a joyous occasion. My dear blogger friend, Courtney, from NeighborFood, was expecting her first baby – a sweet boy! I was absolutely thrilled for her and couldn’t wait for her to hold that precious bundle. To celebrate, a group of us decided to throw her a virtual baby shower, and I was delighted to contribute these Strawberry Cheesecake Bars as my special treat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Ensuring these ingredients are at room temperature before mixing is crucial for a smooth and creamy cheesecake layer. Cold ingredients don’t emulsify well, leading to a lumpy batter. Room temperature ingredients blend seamlessly, resulting in a perfectly uniform and luscious cheesecake.
Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily swap out strawberries for any of your favorite berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, or a mixed berry medley. Just remember to choose a jelly flavor that complements your chosen fruit. For instance, if you use raspberries, raspberry jelly would be an excellent choice for glazing.
To achieve perfectly uniform bars from this recipe (which yields 16 servings), follow these steps: First, cut the entire dessert in half lengthwise. Next, cut it in half crosswise. You will now have 4 equally sized squares. To get 16 bars, repeat the process for each of these smaller squares: cut each in half lengthwise, then crosswise. For the cleanest cuts, make sure to wipe your knife clean with a damp cloth after each slice. This prevents crumbs and filling from dragging and ensures precise, neat edges.
Yes, these bars are an excellent make-ahead dessert! You can bake the bars, cool them, and chill them for up to 2-3 days in advance (without the fresh strawberries on top). Add the sliced, glazed strawberries just a few hours before serving for the freshest appearance and taste.
Leftover Strawberry Cheesecake Bars should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh and delicious for 3-4 days. For optimal texture and flavor, it’s best to consume them within this timeframe, especially with fresh fruit on top.
More Scrumptious Dishes from the Virtual Baby Shower
When I received the invitation to bake something for Courtney’s virtual baby shower, I knew these cookie bars would be perfect for the mom-to-be! They’re celebratory, delicious, and easy to enjoy. And speaking of delicious, check out what other delightful treats were served at the party by my talented blogger friends:
- Strawberry Cheesecake Bars from That Skinny Chick Can Bake (That’s this recipe!)
- Spicy Tahini Palmiers from Food Lust People Love
- Button Cookies from The Redhead Baker
- No Churn Peanut Butter Ice Cream from A Cookie Named Desire
- Mocha Coconut Frappuccino Pie from Melanie Makes
- Watermelon Lime Mocktails from The Live-In Kitchen
- Vegan Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread from Namely Marly
- Mango Pineapple Agua Fresca from Pineapple and Coconut
Doesn’t each dish sound absolutely spectacular? I definitely wanted an invite to this party! Be sure to click on the links to explore these other tasty recipes and visit Courtney’s blog to send your well wishes to the mom-to-be.
More Tasty Berry Desserts You’ll Love
If you’re anything like me and can’t get enough of fresh, fruity desserts, especially those featuring delicious berries, then you’re in for a treat! Here are a few more delectable berry-centric recipes that are sure to satisfy your sweet cravings:
- Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake from Life Currents
- Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberry Gelee
- Strawberry Filled Meringue Roulade
- Berry Tiramisu
- Mixed Berry Cobbler
- Explore more of the Best Dessert Recipes
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Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
20 minutes
40 minutes
1 hour
16 bars
A cookie bar with both a cheesecake and fresh strawberry layer.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla paste (or extract)
- Sliced strawberries (8-12 depending on size. Toss slices in a bit of sugar if they aren’t sweet enough)
- Currant jelly (or any red jelly), to glaze, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
- In a medium bowl, thoroughly blend butter, brown sugar, and flour with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the crumb mixture evenly into an 8×8-inch baking dish lined with nonstick foil or parchment paper; bake for 15 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In another bowl, combine granulated sugar and softened cream cheese, mixing until smooth and free of lumps. Thoroughly beat in the room temperature egg, sour cream, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla paste (or extract) until well combined and creamy.
- Carefully spread the cheesecake filling evenly over the warm, baked crust.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is mostly set with a slight jiggle.
- Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature on a wire rack, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour (or ideally, longer) to allow the cheesecake to fully set.
- Once chilled, gently warm about a tablespoon of currant jelly in a small saucepan or microwave until it liquefies. Whisk briefly to ensure it’s smooth. Arrange the sliced strawberries over the cheesecake bars, then carefully brush the warm jelly over the berries for a beautiful glaze. Cut into 16 even-sized bars and serve.
Recommended Products
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- Silicone Pastry Brush
- KitchenAid 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer
- 8 x 8-inch Baking Pan
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 166Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 80mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g
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