Double Berry Cheesecake Bars
Jul 30, 2015, Updated May 07, 2023
Creamy Cheesecake Bars with Strawberry and Raspberry topping!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Happy National Cheesecake Day! Yes I never forget food days and this day is my absolute favorite because I just LOVE LOVE cheesecakes! I think this day should come more often, isn’t it? Do you guys know that all cheesecake slices at Cheesecake Factory are at half price today? No they didn’t pay me to tell you this, but good news needs to be shared! 😀 Imagine getting 2 slices for the price of 1, I definitely know where I’m heading tonight for dessert. But if you don’t want to go out and still want to celebrate National Cheesecake Day, make these Double Berry Cheesecake Bars – the same creamy cheesecake taste in form of bars!
My love affair with cheesecake began 3 years back when I first tasted one at the Cheesecake Factory. Yes, can you believe it? I have never had cheesecake before that, they weren’t that popular in India while I was growing up. And so when I tasted it for the first time, I instantly knew that I have found my favorite dessert. Cheesecakes define indulgence for me. They are rich, they are creamy, they are sinful and yes they are very delicious.
While I often go all out and make huge cheesecakes, sometimes I settle for the mini stuff and for National Cheesecake Day, I made you these Double Berry Cheesecake Bars. Double because I used raspberries and strawberries! This is just like your regular cheesecake but in form of bars. I love small desserts, they make less mess in my kitchen and fridge and they help me portion control.
The only thing I don’t like about cheesecakes is that they need time to set, I mean it’s so HARD. You do all the work, bake them and then you can’t eat them till they are set. How unfair is that? The pictures that you see here were clicked only after 1.5 hours of putting the cheesecake bars into the refrigerator. The topping certainly needed more time to set (as you can see in the pictures!) but I was getting impatient. However I definitely recommend chilling them overnight.
And now go eat some or better bake some cheesecake on National Cheesecake Day. Here are some more cheesecake recipes on the blog!
White Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake
Individual No Bake Tiramisu Cheesecake
Method
Line a 8 x 8 inch pan with aluminium foil with overhanging edges. Spray the aluminium foil lightly with a non-stick spray and set aside.
In a food processor pulse together graham crackers till you get fine crumbs. Add granulated sugar and cinnamon powder and pulse to combine.
Transfer the crumbs to another container and add melted butter to it. Mix the butter thoroughly till the mixture resembles wet sand.
Press the crumbs firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan, first using your fingers and then using back of a measuring cup. Bake at 325 F degrees for around 12 minutes or till crust looks golden brown. Remove the pan from oven and set aside to cool.
Take softened cream cheese in a bowl, make sure that the cream cheese is at room temperature. This is absolutely essential. Beat the cream cheese using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer or using your hand mixer till completely smooth and creamy, around 2-3 minutes. scraping from the sides as required. There shouldn’t be any lumps.
Add vanilla extract and lemon zest (if using) and mix. Scrape the bowl from side and bottom.
Add granulated sugar and mix till well combined.
Add egg and mix till combined.
Scrape the bowl from the sides and bottom and give one final mix. Your cheesecake batter should not have any lumps.
Pour the cheesecake batter on top of the cooled crust. Bake at 325 F degrees for around 45 minutes or till the edges start to get brown. Once it’s baked, let it sit in the oven (with the oven off and door slightly open) for around 20 minutes and then take it out of the oven and let cool completely.
While the cheesecake bars are baking make the berry topping. To a pan on medium heat, add strawberries and raspberries along with sugar and 2 tablespoons of water.
Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. In the meanwhile, prepare the cornstarch slurry by mixing together cornstarch, 1.5 tablespoon water and lemon juice. Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and mix.
Keep cooking for additional 3-4 minutes or till the mixture really thickens. Set aside to cool.
Once the cheesecake and the topping, both have cooled down, pour the topping over the cheesecake. You a spatula to make sure topping reaches the corner of the pan.
Cover the pan and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours or preferably overnight.
Once the cheesecake bars are set, take them out of the refrigerator, cut into bars and enjoy!
Keep the leftovers (if any!!) refrigerated.
* Don’t try to cut the bars before it’s totally set (like what I did!). Chill overnight preferably.
* If you think your topping isn’t getting thick enough, add more corn starch. It needs to be really thick.
Double Berry Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1.25 cups graham cracker crumbs [rom around 10 full sheet of crackers]
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1.5 tablespoons granulated white sugar
Filling
- 2 x 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 egg large, at room temperature
- 1 lemon zest optional
Berry topping
- 2 cups fresh berries mix if strawberries and raspberries
- 3.5 tablespoons water divided
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
Make the crust
- Line a 8 x 8 inch pan with aluminium foil with overhanging edges. Spray the aluminium foil lightly with a non-stick spray and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
- In a food processor pulse together graham crackers till you get fine crumbs.
- Add granulated sugar and cinnamon powder and pulse to combine.
- Transfer the crumbs to another container and add melted butter to it. Mix the butter thoroughly till the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the crumbs firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan, first using your fingers and then using back of a measuring cup.
- Bake at 325 F degrees for around 12 minutes or till crust looks golden brown. Remove the pan from oven and set aside to cool.
Make the filling
- Take softened cream cheese in a bowl, make sure that the cream cheese is at room temperature. This is absolutely essential.
- Beat the cream cheese using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer or using your hand mixer till completely smooth and creamy, around 2-3 minutes. scraping from the sides as required. There shouldn’t be any lumps.
- Add vanilla extract and lemon zest (if using) and mix. Scrape the bowl from side and bottom.
- Add granulated sugar and mix till well combined. Also add in the egg.
- Scrape the bowl from the sides and bottom and give one final mix. Your cheesecake batter should not have any lumps.
- Pour the cheesecake batter on top of the cooled crust.
- Bake at 325 F degrees for around 45 minutes or till the edges start to get brown. Once it's baked, let it sit in the oven (with the oven off and door slightly open) for around 20 minutes and then take it out of the oven and let cool completely.
Make the topping
- While the cheesecake bars are baking make the berry topping. To a pan on medium heat, add strawberries and raspberries along with sugar and 2 tablespoons water.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In the meanwhile, prepare the cornstarch slurry by mixing together cornstarch, 1.5 tablespoon water and lemon juice. Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and mix.
- Keep cooking for additional 3-4 minutes or till the mixture really thickens. Set aside to cool.
Assemble the cheesecake bars
- Once the cheesecake and the topping, both have cooled down, pour the topping over the cheesecake. You a spatula to make sure topping reaches the corner of the pan.
- Cover the pan and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours or preferably overnight.
- Once the cheesecake bars are set, take them out of the refrigerator, cut into bars and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Double Berry Cheesecake Bars
Hii Manali
Whats the egg replacement for this recipe?Thank youuu.
try flax or chia egg, I have not tried this recipe without egg
Thank uuu
I love cheesecake and this looks amazing and delicious.
Thanks Kushi! 🙂
I missed this! Oh no! And it’s so good!
You know, my love affair with cheesecake also began at the Cheesecake Factory. Back then they had a PB cookie dough flavor, and it was DIVINE. I’ll never forget it. And now, cheesecake is part of the regular rotation!
Wow PB cookie dough sounds just amazing!! Cheesecake is awesome!
Oh wow, I love this! My favorite dessert is cheesecake and usually I can eat and entire one to my self (not proud of that haha!). Having smaller bites makes it so easy for snacking and much better for sharing 😉 Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Julie, cheesecake is my favorite too!
These look amazing!!!
I love those mini cake stands too, where did you get them?
Thanks Michelle! 🙂 I got them from Pier 1 imports!
Love the “Double berry” !!! This cheesecake looks amazing! The perfect way to celebrate National Cheesecake Day! Pinning!
Thanks Mira 🙂
These are beautiful Manali! I love cheesecake bars. I’ve only just had breakfast, but these are making me so hungry right now. I wish I could grab one out of my computer screen!
I wish I could send you some! Thanks dear!
Love the glazing on top. Looking so gorgeous!!. I had tried mango cheese cake last week. Cheesecakes tastes really awesome. !!
yes cheesecakes are awesome! Thanks Rachna! 🙂
Wow, so tempting Cheesecake!
Two berries double the fun. Love it, simply gorgeous!!
Thanks Puneet!
Wow! These look so amazing!
Thanks Kathy!
Great job Manali!! I on the other hand sort of suck at remembering these dates! These bars look out of this world delicious 🙂
haha I don’t remember all the dates Ami, just that I’m addicted to cheesecakes so I knew 😀 Thanks dear!
I feel you! Waiting for cheesecakes to set is next to impossible 🙂
it’s really hard Medha!
Cheesecake Factory is one of my favorite places to eat, they have some of the best cheesecake! These bars look so fantastic, Manali! I’d love one (or two) right about now 😉
I agree, Cheesecake Factory has some insane cheesecakes! Thanks Danielle!
Happy National Cheesecake Day! These double berry bar cheesecake looks stunning, Manali! Loved the idea of combining two berries! 🙂
Thank you Anu!
Happy National Cheesecake Day! This double berry bar business is the perfect way to celebrate! Thanks for the Cheesecake Factory tip! Now I don’t have to make my own and patiently wait for it to set! I wish I had one of these bars though!
Thank you Rachelle, waiting is hard when it comes to cheesecake!
These look wonderful! I’ve actually had strawberry cheesecake on my mind, so maybe I’ll make some soon 🙂
Thank you Sabrina!
Wow this looks fantastic! Did not realize today was national cheesecake day! Time to whip up some cheesecake and join you!!
Thanks Kelley! Yes, always a good time to bake cheesecakes 😀
These are perfect for National Cheesecake Day! I love the strawberry and raspberry combo and making them into mini bars is so much more fun 🙂 They look sensational!
Thanks Kelly, berries are always awesome 🙂
If it’s these decadent cheesecake bars that are being served up – then I agree – this holiday should happen a lot more often! Delicious, Manali!
haha I agree, thanks Annie!
Can National Cheesecake Day be everyday? I need an excuse to continue to enjoy this scrumptious dessert. Love cheesecake and berries!
I wish it was everyday Jen! Seriously can not have enough of cheesecake!
I didn’t know it was national cheesecake day. It seems like there is a national day for everything right now haha.
These do look delicious though.
haha indeed! Thanks Dannii!
Wait…2 for 1 cheesecake slices today? Oh geez, why did you have to tell me that! Actually, I’ll just skip it and go for your bars instead…these look incredible. Cheesecake is absolutely one of my all-time favorite desserts! 🙂
haha I just had to share the good news! Thanks David!
You had me at double berry! These bars look fantastic, Manali! What a great way to celebrate national cheesecake day!
Thanks Gayle!
Now, this is how you celebrate National Cheesecake Day!!! LOVE these double-berry-cheesecake-bars!!!
Thanks Alice!
Hi Manali,
Query:-
You use homemade cream cheese? or if you go with branded, which is best to use..
Happy National Cheesecake Day to you too dear;) . This is something new to me, as we don’t celebrate such days, seriously never heard this before..
But looking at such YUMMYLICIOUS, cheese cake, i am also planning to celebrate this day:) beautiful share. 🙂
Thanks Deepa! I use store bought cream cheese, there are a lot of options available. You can go for philadelphia cream cheese!
Thank you so much dear, appropriate your feedback. You know its very costly here, for 225g , we have to pay ₹600. 🙁
Oh wow that’s expensive. But when I was in India last year, I remember using Britannia cream cheese that wasn’t too costly (if I remember correctly!) so you can try that!
Yes, you are right, going with indian brands is best idea. I will go with
Britannia, Amul or will chk which is available. .
Thank you so much Manali, Have a great weekend ahead. 🙂
You too have a great weekend Deepa 🙂
National Cheesecake Day everyone!!
Having to wait for the cheesecake to set, makes the whole eating experience tastier 🙂
haha I think so too! Thanks Emanuele!