Description
Delicious Raspberry Cheesecake Bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and a sweet-tart raspberry preserve topping. These bars combine the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making them an irresistible dessert that you’ll want to enjoy every day.
Ingredients
Scale
Raspberry Preserves
- 2 cups Raspberries
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice (or Lemon Extract)
Crust
- 1 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 1/2 cup Salted Butter (or plant-based butter for dairy-free)
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 ounces Cream Cheese (or dairy-free cream cheese if needed)
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream (or dairy-free heavy cream)
- 1 large Egg (or egg substitutes for vegan options)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Raspberry Preserves: In a medium saucepan over medium to high heat, combine raspberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Mash the raspberries while stirring, and cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and chill the preserves to set and cool completely.
- Make the Crust: Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until you get fine crumbs. Mix the crumbs with melted butter and sugar until the mixture feels sandy. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into a parchment-lined baking pan to form the crust layer.
- Mix the Filling: In a bowl, blend the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add sugar, heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract, then mix until fully combined with no lumps, creating a smooth cheesecake filling.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust layer in the baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until the edges are set, but the center still has a slight jiggle.
- Cool and Top: Allow the bars to cool for about 20 minutes at room temperature. Then, spread the chilled raspberry preserves evenly on top of the bars. Refrigerate the cheesecake bars completely to firm up before slicing and serving for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute dairy products with plant-based alternatives for dairy-free or vegan versions.
- Use egg substitutes if making a vegan cheesecake bar.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Press the crust firmly to avoid crumbling when slicing.
- Chilling the assembled bars overnight will enhance flavor and texture.
