Description
Indulgent Caramel Cheesecake Bars blend creamy richness with sweet caramel layers, creating a dessert paradise. Luxurious graham cracker crust and silky smooth filling promise a delightful escape for dessert enthusiasts craving pure comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Base:
- 1 ½ cups (190 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50 grams) sugar
Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Caramel Topping:
- ½ cup (100 grams) packed light brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons (57 grams) butter
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (optional, for salted caramel)
Instructions
- Craft a sturdy foundation by pulverizing graham crackers into fine crumbs, then merge with melted butter and sugar until the mixture resembles damp terrain.
- Transfer the crumbly base into a lined rectangular baking vessel, pressing firmly to create a compact, uniform foundation that will support the creamy layers.
- Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, eliminating any potential lumps through vigorous blending with an electric mixer.
- Incorporate sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract into the cream cheese, transforming the mixture into a luxurious, velvety batter with gentle, consistent motions.
- Dust flour across the cream mixture, folding gently to maintain the batter’s delicate texture and ensure uniform consistency.
- Cascade the satiny cheesecake batter over the prepared crust, spreading with precision to create an even, inviting layer.
- Slide the pan into a preheated oven, allowing the cheesecake to bake until the center maintains a subtle tremor while the edges appear set and golden.
- Extract the pan from the oven and permit the cheesecake to cool completely, allowing the structure to stabilize and firm.
- Drizzle rich caramel sauce across the cooled surface, ensuring an elegant, even distribution that promises decadent flavor in every bite.
- Refrigerate the creation, allowing the layers to meld and solidify for a minimum of two hours, enhancing both texture and taste.
- Carefully elevate the chilled dessert using parchment paper edges, then slice into precise, elegant bars ready for indulgence.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter without overmixing.
- Use a parchment paper sling to easily remove bars from the pan, preventing cracking and ensuring clean, precise cuts.
- For a gluten-free version, swap graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to maintain the crust’s texture and flavor.
- Prevent surface cracks by baking cheesecake in a water bath or placing a pan of hot water on the bottom rack of the oven to create humidity during baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg