Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars with Strawberry Sauce and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe

Introduction

These Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars are a delightful treat combining a buttery graham cracker crust with a creamy, smooth cheesecake filling. Topped with a homemade strawberry sauce and a drizzle of white chocolate, they make a perfect snack or dessert for any occasion.

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 pan with a parchment sling, then spray with baking spray.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using a flat measuring cup or tamper.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract on medium speed until smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed.
4. Step 4: Add eggs and mix on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the filling smooth.
5. Step 5: Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust. Bake for 25-35 minutes until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly. Cool on a wire rack for 1-2 hours, then refrigerate for 3-4 hours.
6. Step 6: While baking, prepare 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 and simmer, stirring often, until thick and deep red, about 15 minutes. Cool completely.
7. Step 7: Once chilled, slice the cheesecake bars into 8-10 even pieces using a sharp knife.
8. Step 8: Spoon or spread strawberry sauce over each bar, pushing it gently to the edges. For the classic style, create a small well in the center of each bar before adding sauce (see tips).
9. Step 9: Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring after each until smooth. Transfer to a zipper bag, cut a tiny corner, and drizzle over the bars.
10. Step 10: Serve immediately or keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• For cleaner slices, warm the knife slightly before cutting and wipe between each slice.
• Create a small indentation in the center of each bar while the cheesecake is still warm to hold more strawberry sauce, mimicking the original Philadelphia Snack Bar look.
• Substitute fresh strawberries with blueberries or raspberries for a different flavor.
• Use white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate for drizzling—ensure it’s melted gently to avoid burning.

Storage

Store cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat slightly at room temperature before serving if desired, but they are best enjoyed chilled. The strawberry sauce may thicken when cold; stir gently before topping if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cheesecake bars ahead of time?

Yes, these bars can be prepared a day or two in advance. Just keep them refrigerated and add the strawberry sauce and white chocolate drizzle before serving for the freshest taste.

Can I freeze the cheesecake bars?

You can freeze these bars without the strawberry sauce and white chocolate topping. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding toppings and serving.

Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars with Strawberry Sauce and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 110 reviews

These Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust with a rich, creamy cheesecake layer topped with a luscious homemade strawberry sauce and drizzled with white chocolate. Perfect as a snack or dessert, these bars offer a delightful balance of creamy, fruity, and sweet flavors in convenient, portable slices.

• Author: Grace
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 5 hours 55 minutes
• 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)

Cheesecake Filling

• 2 (8 oz) packages 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 inch baking pan with a parchment paper sling and spray it with baking spray to ensure easy removal of the bars.
2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until evenly combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan using a flat measuring cup or tamper to create an even crust layer.
3. Prepare Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, use hand beaters to blend the softened cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract on medium speed until the mixture is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl well to incorporate all ingredients.
4. Add Eggs: Reduce mixing speed to low and beat in the eggs just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to avoid incorporating too much air.
5. Bake the Cheesecake Bars: Pour the filling over the crust in the pan. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until the center is almost set but retains a slight jiggle. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool to room temperature, approximately 1-2 hours. Once cooled, refrigerate the bars in the pan for 3-4 hours to fully set.
6. Make the Strawberry Sauce: While the bars bake, combine the chopped strawberries, sugar, water, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and deepens to a vibrant red color, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
7. Slice the Bars: Once the bars are fully chilled and set, use a large, sharp knife to cut them into 8-10 even slices.
8. Assemble with Topping: Spoon or spread the cooled strawberry sauce evenly over each bar, pushing it to 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 as noted below.
9. Drizzle with White Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate into a zipper bag, snip a tiny hole in one corner, and drizzle it artfully over the strawberry-topped bars.
10. Serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy these rich, creamy, and fruity cheesecake bars as a delightful snack or dessert.

Notes

• To create the traditional Philadelphia Snack Bar appearance, after baking and before refrigeration, gently press the center of each slice with the back of a spoon to form a small well. This well can then hold more strawberry sauce for an authentic look and extra flavor.
• The crust can be made gluten-free by substituting gluten-free graham cracker crumbs.
• Ensure eggs and cream cheese are at room temperature to avoid lumps in your cheesecake filling.
• Use fresh or frozen strawberries based on availability; if using frozen, thaw before making the sauce.
• Bars can be stored refrigerated for up to 4 days and are best served chilled.

Keywords: Philadelphia cheesecake bars, cheesecake snack bars, strawberry cheesecake bars, cream cheese dessert, baked cheesecake bars, white chocolate drizzle dessert