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Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings

Description

Delight in these Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Bars featuring a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a luscious strawberry-infused cheesecake filling and finished with a rich chocolate ganache. Perfectly balanced with fresh strawberries and a hint of strawberry cream liqueur, these bars offer a creamy, fruity dessert that’s elegantly simple to make.

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 5 tablespoons (71 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 8 sheets graham crackers, finely crushed
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Strawberry Cheesecake Filling

  • 3 packages (681 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (297 grams) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup Pennsylvania Dutch Strawberries and Cream Liqueur, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, diced

Chocolate Ganache

  • 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (85 grams) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (85 grams) chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper or foil and set it aside for use later.
  2. Make the crust: In a small bowl, combine the finely crushed graham cracker sheets, salt, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand, ensuring everything is well integrated.
  3. Press and bake crust: Firmly press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the lined pan to form an even crust layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until it turns golden brown. Remove and cool completely.
  4. Prepare cheesecake batter: Keep the oven at 325°F (163°C). In a stand mixer bowl or using a hand mixer, beat the room temperature cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups sugar on low speed until smooth and fully combined.
  5. Add eggs: Crack the eggs in one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure an even texture throughout.
  6. Incorporate flavors: Stir in the Pennsylvania Dutch Strawberries and Cream Liqueur and the vanilla extract until evenly mixed into the cheesecake batter.
  7. Fold in strawberries: Gently fold the diced fresh strawberries into the batter, distributing them without overmixing.
  8. Pour and bake: Carefully pour the cheesecake filling into the pre-baked crust, spreading evenly. Bake the bars for 30-40 minutes or until the filling is mostly set but still slightly jiggly in the center for the perfect creamy texture.
  9. Cool cheesecake: Remove the cheesecake bars from the oven and allow them to cool for 30 minutes at room temperature to set up properly before adding ganache.
  10. Make chocolate ganache: Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it reaches a light boil. Immediately remove from heat and add the chocolate chips. Let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to melt fully.
  11. Whisk ganache: Slowly whisk the cream and melted chocolate together until smooth and glossy, ensuring a silky texture.
  12. Apply ganache and chill: Pour the ganache evenly over the cooled cheesecake bars and spread gently. Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill until the ganache is fully set and the bars are firm, making them ready to slice and serve.

Notes

  • Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter.
  • Gently folding the strawberries prevents breaking them into the batter and keeps chunks intact.
  • Do not overbake the cheesecake; it should still jiggle slightly in the center to maintain creaminess after cooling.
  • Chill bars thoroughly before slicing to achieve clean cuts and perfect presentation.
  • If you can’t find Pennsylvania Dutch Strawberries and Cream Liqueur, substitute with raspberry or strawberry liqueur or omit for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/covered-strawberry-cheesecake-bars-recipe/