Description
Delightful caramel cheesecake bars blend creamy richness with sweet indulgence. Smooth cream cheese and golden caramel layers create a luxurious dessert you’ll crave with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (190 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50 grams) sugar
- 16 oz (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- ½ cup (100 grams) packed light brown sugar
- 4 tbsps (57 grams) butter
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp sea salt (optional, for salted caramel)
Instructions
- Crust Creation: Pulverize graham crackers into fine crumbs, blending seamlessly with melted butter and sugar until the mixture achieves a cohesive, sandy texture.
- Crust Preparation: Press the crumb mixture firmly into a lined rectangular baking pan, establishing a robust, uniform foundation for the decadent layers ahead.
- Cheesecake Base: Whip cream cheese until supremely smooth, eliminating any potential lumps through rigorous blending with an electric mixer.
- Batter Fusion: Integrate sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and flour into the cream cheese, whisking with gentle, consistent motions to craft a luxurious, velvety batter.
- Baking Transformation: Pour the silky cheesecake mixture over the prepared crust, spreading with precision to create an even, tempting layer, then bake in a preheated oven until the center quivers slightly while edges turn golden and set.
- Cooling and Finishing: Allow the cheesecake to cool completely, then cascade caramel sauce across the surface with an elegant, even distribution.
- Serving Presentation: Refrigerate for at least two hours to solidify layers, then lift from the pan using parchment paper edges and slice into refined, indulgent bars ready for ultimate enjoyment.
Notes
- Crush Crackers Carefully: Use a food processor or rolling pin to create uniform, fine graham cracker crumbs for a consistent, compact crust base that prevents crumbling.
- Prevent Cheesecake Cracks: Beat cream cheese at room temperature and mix ingredients gently to avoid over-mixing, which can cause unsightly surface cracks during baking.
- Control Moisture Levels: Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth incorporation and prevent lumpy texture in the cheesecake batter.
- Master Caramel Drizzling: Warm caramel sauce slightly before drizzling to achieve smooth, even distribution across the cooled cheesecake surface for maximum flavor presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 314
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 74 mg