🍓 Strawberry Cheesecake Bars 🍰✨

Buttery crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and a luscious strawberry swirl—perfect for a refreshing dessert!

Ingredients

For the Crust

• 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• ¾ cup (170 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• Pinch of fine sea salt

For the Cheesecake Filling

• 16 oz (450 g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream, chilled
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)

For the Strawberry Swirl & Glaze

• 1 ½ cups (210 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and finely chopped (divided)
• 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cornstarch

Instructions

1. Make Crust: Pulse flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter in food processor until coarse crumbs form. Press into lined 8×8-inch pan. Freeze 15 minutes.
2. Prepare Strawberry Purée: Cook 1 cup strawberries with honey and lemon juice for 5–7 minutes. Mash lightly. Stir in cornstarch and simmer 1 minute. Cool. Reserve ¼ cup for swirl, ⅓ cup for glaze.
3. Make Filling: Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and almond extract. Whip cream to stiff peaks and fold into mixture.
4. Assemble & Swirl: Spread filling over crust. Dollop reserved purée and swirl gently with toothpick.
5. Chill: Refrigerate uncovered 2 hours, then cover and chill 4+ hours (overnight best).
6. Glaze & Serve: Warm reserved purée and glaze bars. Garnish with remaining strawberries. Slice with hot, dry knife.

Details

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Chill Time: 6+ hours
• Total Time: ~6.5 hours
• Yield: 12 bars
• Kcal: ~280 kcal per bar

✨ Creamy, fruity, and elegant—these cheesecake bars are a show-stopping treat for any occasion!