Description
Soft Strawberry Cheesecake Bars are the perfect combination of creamy cheesecake, buttery blondie texture, and sweet strawberry swirls baked into one irresistible dessert. These easy dessert bars are ideal for holidays, brunch tables, summer parties, or whenever you need quick dessert ideas that still feel elegant and homemade. With a rich cream cheese layer, soft cookie-like base, and fruity strawberry ribbons, this easy recipe delivers bakery-style flavor with simple ingredients and beginner-friendly steps.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup fresh strawberries, mashed
1/3 cup strawberry jam or preserves
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease the parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined.
4. Fold in flour and salt until a thick blondie batter forms. Reserve a few spoonfuls for topping.
5. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
6. Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
7. Add sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice to the cream cheese and mix until silky.
8. Spread the cheesecake filling over the blondie layer.
9. Mix mashed strawberries with strawberry jam and spoon over the cheesecake layer.
10. Add small dollops of reserved blondie batter and swirl gently with a knife.
11. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly golden around the edges.
12. Cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating.
13. Chill for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.
Notes
Room-temperature cream cheese creates the smoothest cheesecake filling and prevents lumps.
Do not overbake the bars because the center continues setting as the cheesecake cools.
For cleaner slices, chill the bars completely and wipe the knife clean between each cut.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg