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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (Baked) » Easy Cheesecake Bars

    PUBLISHED: September 2, 2022 • By Toni Dash 6 Comments

    Easy Cheesecake Bars

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    cheesecake bars close up with raspberry sauce.

    If you love a good creamy cheesecake but don’t feel like making one, these Cheesecake Bars are the perfect solution! With all the classic cheesecake flavors, creamy filling and delicious chocolate Oreo cookies crust, they are an easy dessert recipe everyone loves.

    cheesecake bars close up with raspberry sauce.

    No springform pan or water bath required for these yummy dessert bars. They taste like regular cheesecake but are easier and faster to make. The chocolate cookies are ground into fine crumbs for a chocolate crust that perfectly complements the tangy cheesecake layer.

    This delicious dessert is easy enough to make for every day dessert or impressive enough for special occasions or for holidays! Instead of a full-size cheesecake enjoying traditional cheesecake in bar form is a fun change up that’s easier for you too!

    We love it with our Raspberry Sauce on top but the bars on their own taste like your favorite real cheesecake! The hardest part of this recipe? Not eating all the bars yourself.

    Try our Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars too!

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Ingredients Notes
    • How to make Cheesecake Bars
    • Variations
    • Expert Tips
    • How to store
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe

    Recipe Ingredients Notes

    cheesecake bars labelled ingredients.

    Cream cheese. You’ll need 2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese softened to room temperature before starting the recipe.

    Eggs. Start with room temperature eggs for a creamier filling.

    Oreos. We used chocolate cream Oreos. Regular or gluten-free Oreos or equivalent sandwich cookies can be used (regular Oreos or chocolate filled).

    Unsalted butter. Two tablespoons of melted unsalted butter are used to make the crust.

    How to make Cheesecake Bars

    STEP 1. Preparation

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees f. Prepare an 8-inch by 8-inch square baking pan by spraying with a non-stick cooking spray. For easier removal of the bars, line the baking pan with a sheet of foil and spray the foil with a non-stick spray (photos 1-2).

    cheesecake bars recipe steps 1-4.

    STEP 2. Make the crust

    Using a food processor, blend the Oreos until a fine crumb has formed. Add in the melted butter and blend until combined (photos 3-4).

    Spoon the crust ingredients into the prepared pan (photo 5), firmly press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan (photo 6) and bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

    Set aside to cool and lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees. Continue onto the cheesecake mixture.

    cheesecake bars recipe steps 5-8.

    STEP 3. Make the cheesecake filling

    In a large mixing bowl, using a hand electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment make the filling mixture. Beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy (photo 7). Add in the lemon juice, vanilla, and eggs; mix until well combined (photo 8).

    Pour the cream cheese mixture on top of the cooked crust and spread into an even layer to the edges of the pan (photo 9-10).

    STEP 4. Bake

    Before putting the cheesecake bars into the oven, place a baking pan full of hot water onto the bottom rack of the heated oven. This process will help prevent the cheesecake from cracking on top.

    Place the cheesecake bars into the oven, on the middle shelf, and bake cheesecake bars for 40-45 minutes, just until the middle sets and jiggles slightly (photo 11).

    cheesecake bars recipe steps 9-12.

    STEP 5. Cool

    Cool on the countertop on a wire rack for an hour and then finish cooling in the refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours. Best if chilled overnight.

    When fully cooled, cut into bars (6 large bars or 12 smaller bars) to serve (photo 12) and drizzle the desired amount of sauce on top (below). Serve and enjoy!

    cheesecake bars stacked.

    Variations

    Try lemon Oreos. For a different crust flavor use lemon Oreos (not available gluten-free but another lemon sandwich cookie will also work). It gives a hint of lemon that’s delicious with the cheesecake top. You could add some lemon zest on top or in the layer of cheesecake too for lemon cheesecake bars.

    Try a topping. We love these cheesecake bars with our Raspberry Sauce but try salted caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, cherry pie filling or other pie fillings.

    Add some fresh fruit on top. If you don’t want to add a topping but want to garnish the bars the best way to do that is adding some fresh fruit. Sliced strawberries, fresh blueberries or other fruits cut into small pieces work great!

    cheesecake bars with fresh raspberries on top.

    Expert Tips

    Line the pan. Even though spraying a baking pan allows the dessert bars to release lining the pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil makes it easier to remove the full cheesecake recipe from the pan to cut the bars well.

    Start with room temperature cream cheese and eggs. If the cream cheese is still cold or partially cold it will have small pieces of cream cheese and the filling will not be as smooth as starting with room temperature ingredients.

    Scrape the bowl. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl while mixing the cheesecake mixture to ensure all ingredients are incorporated and smooth.

    The cheesecake layer will still jiggle! If you aren’t familiar with making cheesecake it can seem it is not done because it will still jiggle slightly (not alot) after baking. This is normal and what you want! As it cools it will become totally solid. If you bake it until it is solid it can crack and not have the same creamy texture.

    How to store

    Store sealed with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.

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    • Easy Italian Baked Meatballs recipe
    • Pear Salad
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    • Green Smoothies: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners + Pro Smoothie Lovers

    Recipe

    Cheesecake Bars

    Creamy Cheesecake Bars taste like regular cheesecake just in an easy dessert bar. Chocolate filled Oreo cookies gives these bars a homemade crust you'll love! Serve as is or topped with our Raspberry Sauce!
    5 from 49 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes
    Cooling Time (estimate): 4 hours
    Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 12 smaller bars or 6 large bars
    Calories: 299kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Equipment

    8 inch square pan
    8-inch square baking pan

    Ingredients

    • 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese softened and room temperature
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 eggs room temperature
    • 23 Oreos – chocolate cream variety or regular Oreos (regular or gluten-free)
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan by spraying with a non-stick cooking spray.
      For easier removal of the bars, line the baking pan with a sheet of foil with some overhanging the edges of the pan and spray the foil with a non-stick spray.
    • Using a food processor, blend the Oreos until a fine crumb has formed. Add in the melted butter and blend until combined.
    • Spoon the Oreo mixture into the prepared pan, firmly press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan and bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
    • Set aside to cool and lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees.
    • In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld electric mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
    • Add in the lemon juice, vanilla, and eggs; mix until well combined. Pour the cheesecake mixture on top of the cooked crust and spread it to the edges.
    • Before putting the cheesecake into the oven, place a pan full of hot water onto the bottom rack. This process will help prevent the cheesecake from cracking on top.
    • Place the cheesecake bars pan into the oven, on the middle rack, and bake for 40-45 minutes, just until the middle sets and still jiggles slightly.
    • Cool on a wire rack on the countertop for 1 hour and then finish cooling in the refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours. Best if chilled overnight.
    • Cut into 12 smaller bars or 6 large bars. Serve with a topping (our raspberry sauce!) or as is.

    Notes

    The cheesecake layer should still jiggle a little bit after cooking. It can seem it is not done because it will still jiggle slightly (not alot) after baking. This is normal and what you want! As it cools it will become totally solid. If you bake it until it is solid it can crack and not have the same creamy texture.
    Storing: store tightly sealed in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 219mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 606IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
    « Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread »

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Karin says

      September 02, 2022 at 9:15 am

      5 stars
      Made these over the weekend and they were gone in minutes! Will definitely make them again.

      Reply
    2. Jessie says

      September 02, 2022 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      Cheesecake is one of those things that I love to eat but generally hate to cook – until now! I love that these are in bar form – it makes the entire process feel so much easier. And the hot water pan trick to keep the top from cracking is SO helpful!

      Reply
    3. Aimee Mars says

      September 02, 2022 at 9:01 am

      5 stars
      Heaven in my kitchen! This delicious recipe is delightful and I can’t wait to make another batch again soon!

      Reply
    4. Jayne says

      September 02, 2022 at 8:04 am

      5 stars
      These were delicious! Very creamy and so much easier than a full cheesecake. Loved the pan of water trick. Turned out great.

      Reply
    5. Caroline Y says

      September 02, 2022 at 8:01 am

      5 stars
      I love these so much. So much easier than making an actual cheesecake! Thanks!

      Reply
    6. Carrie says

      September 02, 2022 at 7:56 am

      5 stars
      These were so perfect when my niece and nephew were visiting. They loved the bars so much and asked that I give the recipe to their mom!!!

      Reply

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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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