Rich and creamy cheesecake bars kissed with fresh strawberries and studded with a crumbly strawberry crunch are the official answer to what to serve to your favorite people in the coming weeks. With a quick press-in golden Oreo crust, a simple cream cheese base, and a short trip to the oven, they couldn’t be easier to make. These bars are a treat fit for a celebration.
Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Bars
Cheesecake bars are the ultimate easy and impressive dessert for every occasion. With this strawberry crunch version, you get the sweet satisfaction of cheesecake, along with eye-catching strawberry crunch topping, for a fraction of the work. It comes together in the food processor with just a handful of ingredients and about 15 minutes of hands-on time. Best of all, you’ll have an absolutely gorgeous dessert that’s guaranteed to disappear in no time.
Hands down, this strawberry crunch situation is my latest favorite. The tangy, ultra-creamy filling sitting on top of buttery, golden Oreo crust, makes every bite pure bliss.
Related: No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Just remember, no matter the question, cheesecake bars are always the answer. Need a crowd-pleasing, easy to transport dessert for a potluck? Cheesecake bars. Want an impressive-looking treat to set out for company? Cheesecake bars. A make-ahead sweet to enjoy throughout the week? Cheesecake bars.
Ingredients for Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
See the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions, this list is just an overview. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in the overall taste, texture, and presentation of these strawberry crunch cheesecake bars recipe.
Golden Oreo Crust:
- Golden Oreo crumbs: Creates the base for the cheesecake bars, providing a sweet and crunchy foundation.
- Melted butter: Binds the Oreo crumbs together and helps set the crust when chilled.
Strawberry Cheesecake Filling:
- Strawberries: Adds the fruity and tangy flavor to the cheesecake filling.
- Cream cheese: Forms the creamy and rich base of the cheesecake filling.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the filling and balances the flavors.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with a hint of vanilla.
- Heavy whipping cream: Adds richness and helps achieve a smooth and velvety texture in the cheesecake.
Strawberry Crunch Topping:
- Golden Oreo crumbs: Adds crunch and complements the crust’s texture, while also contributing to the overall flavor.
- Strawberry Jell-O powder: Infuses a vibrant strawberry flavor and color to the topping.
- Butter: Binds the Oreo crumbs and Jell-O powder together, creating a cohesive and crunchy topping.
Garnish:
- Whipped cream: Provides a light and airy contrast to the creamy cheesecake and adds a touch of sweetness.
- Fresh strawberries: Enhances the visual appeal of the bars and reinforces the strawberry theme of the dessert.
Why You’ll Love These Cheesecake Bars
- Creamy and Crunchy Texture: The creamy cheesecake layer contrasts with the crunchy crust and topping, and makes for the most satisfying textural experience in each bite. It’s going to be your favorite part.
- Freshness of Strawberries: When combined with the creamy cheesecake filling and crunchy elements of the topping, it’s a well-balanced and refreshing taste.
- Variety: Cheesecake bars come in many flavors, but the addition of strawberries and a crunchy element adds an extra layer of complexity and change that appeals to anyone who enjoys a little something different.
- Visual Appeal: The vibrant red color of the strawberries against the creamy cheesecake and golden crust makes these bars visually appealing, which is always a good thing.
- Comfort Food: Cheesecake is often considered a comfort food. The combination of familiar flavors like strawberries and a crunchy texture is always a nostalgic experience.
- Versatility: These bars can be enjoyed in various settings, from casual gatherings to formal events, making them a versatile dessert option.
- Indulgence: The combination of rich cream cheese, buttery crust, and sweet strawberries is the perfect dessert experience in my opinion.
Recipe Tips
- Prepare Ingredients and Equipment: Make all ingredients are at the right temperature and equipment is ready. Room temperature cream cheese blends more easily and uniformly.
- Crust Consistency: Press the crust mixture evenly and firmly into the pan for a stable base. Use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to compact the crust firmly.
- Smooth Cheesecake Filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth and scrape down sides for even mixing to avoid any lumps.
- Strawberry Prep: Wash, hull, dry and chop ripe strawberries before adding to the filling.
- Layer the Toppings: Distribute crunch topping evenly over the filling and press gently. Press it down gently to adhere.
- Chill: Refrigerate bars while making the crunch topping.
- Clean Slices: Use a sharp knife dipped in warm water for neat cuts.
- Garnish Creatively: Add whipped cream and fresh strawberry slices just before serving.
- Storage: Store bars airtight in the refrigerator or freeze for longer storage.
Make Ahead
If you decide to make these cheesecake bars a day or two ahead of serving, hold off making and adding the strawberry crunch topping until the day of serving. This will ensure you have the best possible crunch factor.
Life, Love and the Pursuit of Perfect Cheesecake
More cheesecake recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- This white chocolate raspberry cheesecake made mini style and into individual servings, is one of the best bites you’ll enjoy this season.
- This Rolo no-bake cheesecake has a velvety smooth texture and the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and tanginess, while nestled in a sturdy Oreo crust.
- A no-churn pineapple cheesecake ice cream you have to make at least once.
- Always start the day with a strawberry-banana cheesecake smoothie.
- Show up at every summer gathering with these mini blueberry cheesecakes, topped with blueberry sauce and fresh, juicy blueberries.
- A delicious copycat recipe of Cheesecake Factory Cinnabon cheesecake.
Crunch-Tastic
When you decide to take the crunch and make these bars, don’t forget to snap a photo and tag @NOBLEPIG and #noblepig on INSTAGRAM. I want to see how high you piled your crunchy topping.
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How To Make Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Bars
Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
Oreo Crust:
- 1-1/2 cups golden Oreo crumbs*
- 4 tbsps. butter, melted
Strawberry Cheesecake Filling:
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
- 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Strawberry Crunch Topping:
- 1-1/2 cups golden Oreo crumbs, divided*
- 4 tbsps. butter, melted
- 1 (3 oz.) box strawberry Jell-O powder
Garnish:
- whipped cream
- fresh strawberries, halved
Instructions
Oreo Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the parchment paper to hang over all four sides. Set aside.
- Mix the golden Oreo crumbs and melted butter until well combined. Firmly press into an even layer in the bottom of the baking pan. Bake for 5 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden and set aside to cool.1-1/2 cups golden Oreo crumbs*, 4 tbsps. butter, melted
Strawberry Cheesecake Filling:
- Add the chopped strawberries to a food processor, blend until pureed. Set aside.1 cup chopped strawberries
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Add strawberry puree and continue mixing until completely combined.8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cheesecake mixture. Spread mixture evenly over the cooled crust. Set aside. Refrigerate while making the strawberry crunch topping.1 cup heavy whipping cream
Strawberry Crunch Topping:
- Add 3/4 cup of the Oreo crumbs to a medium mixing bowl and combine with the melted butter and Jell-O powder. Mix until well combined. Spread evenly onto a baking sheet and firmly press into an even layer. Bake at 350° F for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Place the cooled strawberry mixture in a food processor and blend into crumbs. Combine the strawberry crumbs with the remaining golden Oreo crumbs. Sprinkle the strawberry crunch topping over the cheesecake.1-1/2 cups golden Oreo crumbs, divided*, 1 (3 oz.) box strawberry Jell-O powder, 4 tbsps. butter, melted
- Freeze for at least 1 hour before slicing lice into bars, and topping each slice with a dollop of whipped cream, and a sliced strawberry.whipped cream, fresh strawberries, halved
Notes
Nutrition
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