Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake Bars (Printable View)

Creamy cheesecake bars with fresh strawberries and rich chocolate topping, perfect for any occasion.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Crust

01 - 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Cheesecake Layer

04 - 16 oz cream cheese, softened
05 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/3 cup sour cream
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - Pinch of salt

→ Strawberry Layer

10 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
11 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
12 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
13 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch

→ Chocolate Topping

14 - 7 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until evenly moistened. Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes. Let cool slightly.
03 - In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and mix until creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in sour cream, vanilla, and salt until just combined. Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
04 - In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until strawberries break down and the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
05 - Let cooled strawberry mixture cool slightly, then dollop over the cheesecake layer. Swirl gently with a knife for a marbled effect.
06 - Bake for 25-27 minutes, until the center is just set. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until fully chilled.
07 - Melt chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water or in the microwave in 20-second bursts. Stir until smooth. Pour over chilled cheesecake, spreading evenly. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.
08 - Lift bars from the pan using the parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares. Serve chilled.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of creamy cheesecake, sweet tart strawberries, and bittersweet chocolate creates the most perfect bite
  • They look impressive but actually come together in manageable steps without any fancy techniques
  • Make them a day ahead and they just get better, which is exactly what you need for entertaining
02 -
  • Cheesecake continues to bake as it cools so pull it from the oven when the center still has a slight wobble
  • The chilling time is not optional because warm cheesecake will cause the chocolate topping to seize and look streaky
03 -
  • Use an offset spatula to spread the chocolate topping for the smoothest possible finish
  • Roast the graham cracker crumbs for three extra minutes before mixing with butter for a deeper toffee flavor

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