Philadelphia Cheesecake Bars with Strawberry Compote
Cherish
These Philadelphia cheesecake bars feature a creamy, rich filling with a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with a tangy strawberry compote and finished with a white chocolate drizzle. Perfect for any occasion, these easy-to-make cheesecake bars are a crowd-pleasing dessert everyone will love.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Resting Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 3 hours hrs
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Calories 300 kcal
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese softened (Philadelphia cream cheese recommended)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs room temperature
For the Strawberry Compote:
- 1 3/4 cups fresh strawberries chopped
- 5 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp cornstarch
For the White Chocolate Drizzle:
Prepare the Crust:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper and lightly grease with non-stick spray.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Stir until fully mixed and the crumbs are coated.
Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan using the back of a spoon or measuring cup to form an even crust. Set aside.
Make the Cheesecake Filling:
In a stand mixer or with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
Add the sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition until just combined.
Pour the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust and use a spatula to smooth the top evenly.
Bake:
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center has a slight wobble.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature. Then transfer to the fridge and chill for at least 3 hours (overnight if possible).
Make the Strawberry Compote:
In a small saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, sugar, water, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the strawberries break down and the mixture thickens.
Whisk in the cornstarch mixed with a little water, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the compote thickens further. Remove from heat and let cool.
Assemble the Bars:
Once the cheesecake is fully chilled, remove it from the pan and slice it into even bars. If the edges are a bit too brown, feel free to trim them off.
Carve out a shallow strip in the center of each bar to make space for the strawberry compote.
Spoon a generous amount of the strawberry compote into the center of each bar.
Drizzle with White Chocolate:
Melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring in between until smooth.
Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top of each cheesecake bar for a sweet, finishing touch.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 200mg
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 20g
Keyword Cheesecake Bars, philadelphia cheesecake bars, Strawberry Cheesecake Bars