Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars with Strawberry Sauce and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe

Introduction

These Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars combine a creamy, tangy cheesecake filling with a crisp graham cracker crust and a luscious fresh strawberry sauce. Perfect as a snack or dessert, they bring a delightful balance of flavors and textures in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 11-12 full crackers)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp butter (melted)
• 2 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs (room temperature)
• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries (chopped)
• 5 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• ½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal, then spray lightly with baking spray.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, and melted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan using a flat measuring cup or tamper.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. Step 4: Add the eggs one at a time and beat on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the filling light.
5. Step 5: Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust and spread evenly. Bake for 25-35 minutes until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 1-2 hours, then refrigerate for 3-4 hours.
6. Step 6: Meanwhile, make the strawberry sauce. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine chopped strawberries, 5 tbsp sugar, water, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until thick and deep red, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
7. Step 7: Once the cheesecake is fully chilled, lift it out of the pan using the parchment overhang and slice into 8-10 even bars with a large, sharp knife.
8. Step 8: Spoon or spread the strawberry sauce evenly over each bar, letting it reach the edges. For the classic Philadelphia Snack Bar style, you can create a small well in the center of each bar before adding the sauce (see Tips & Variations).
9. Step 9: Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate to a small plastic bag, cut a tiny hole in a corner, and drizzle over the bars before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a more decorative look, create a small well in the center of each cheesecake bar after baking by gently pressing with a spoon, then fill with strawberry sauce for the classic Philadelphia Snack Bar appearance.
• Use fresh or frozen strawberries for the sauce depending on the season; frozen berries should be thawed and drained first.
• To avoid cracks in the cheesecake, do not overmix eggs and avoid overbaking; the center should remain slightly jiggly when you take it out of the oven.
• Substitute the white chocolate drizzle with dark or milk chocolate for a different flavor profile.

Storage

Store cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat by allowing them to come to room temperature or enjoy chilled. The strawberry sauce is best added fresh before serving to keep the bars from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, these bars can be prepared a day in advance. Refrigerate after baking and add the strawberry sauce and chocolate drizzle right before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Can I freeze the cheesecake bars?

Yes, you can freeze the cheesecake bars without the strawberry sauce. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding the strawberry topping.

Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars with Strawberry Sauce and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 92 reviews

These Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars feature a creamy, rich cream cheese filling on a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a luscious homemade strawberry sauce and drizzled with white chocolate. Perfectly balanced and easy to make, they offer a delightful treat for snack time or dessert.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling time)
• Yield: 8–10 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 11–12 full crackers)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp butter (melted)

Filling:

• 2 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs (room temperature)

Strawberry Sauce:

• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries (chopped)
• 5 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp cornstarch

Topping:

• ½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper forming a sling for easy removal, then spray with baking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Make Crust: In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using a flat measuring cup or tamper.
3. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: Using hand beaters on medium speed, blend the softened cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
4. Add Eggs: Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in the room temperature eggs just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the filling creamy and prevent cracking.
5. Bake Filling: Pour the cream cheese filling over the crust in the pan. Bake for 25-35 minutes until the center is mostly set but still slightly jiggly. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool to room temperature for 1-2 hours.
6. Chill Bars: After cooling to room temperature, refrigerate the cheesecake bars in the pan for 3-4 hours to set fully.
7. Make Strawberry Sauce: While the bars bake, combine chopped strawberries, sugar, water, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high until boiling, then reduce to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and turns a deep red color—about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
8. Slice Bars: Once fully chilled, use a large, sharp knife to slice the cheesecake into 8-10 even bars.
9. Assemble Bars: Spoon or spread the cooled strawberry sauce evenly over each cheesecake bar, pushing the sauce to the edges.
10. Drizzle White Chocolate: Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring between until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate to a zipper bag with a small cut corner and drizzle over the bars. Serve immediately or keep refrigerated.

Notes

• For a more traditional Philadelphia Snack Bar look, create a shallow well in the center of the cheesecake filling before baking to contain the strawberry sauce better.
• Ensure cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature to avoid lumps and a smooth filling.
• Do not overmix eggs into the batter to prevent cracks and over-aeration.
• The strawberry sauce can be stored separately and added just before serving for fresh flavor.
• Use parchment paper with a sling to easily lift bars out of the pan for clean slicing and serving.
• White chocolate chips can be substituted with regular chocolate if preferred, though white chocolate complements the strawberry flavor well.

Keywords: Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars, Cheesecake Snack Bars, Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, Cream Cheese Bars, Easy Cheesecake Dessert