This small batch Cheesecake Bars recipe is from one of my grandmother’s old organizations, The Houston Junior Forum. I am not exactly sure when she was a member – probably very long ago. And while I think she probably let her membership lapse, she kept up with the cookbooks. This recipe is based on one in a book called “Scrumptious”….which, by the way, is word I don’t usually say out loud. I do like the cookbook, though.
Update: I've made these several times since posting and they are super reliable and very good. Feel free to double! One thing you should know is the dough is very, very, dry. It will feel dry when you mix it and it will look dry when you take it out after the first round of baking. But don't worry. Once the cheese is poured on and the cookies have baked and set, the crust absorbs some moisture and the texture is quite nice.
Cheesecake Bars
⅓ cup unsalted butter (76 grams)
⅓ cup brown sugar (70 grams)
¼ teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
1 cup all purpose flour (126 grams))
½ cup chopped, toasted nuts (pecans or almonds)
8 oz cream cheese, softened (230 grams)
¼ cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C). Grease an 8 inch square metal pan or line with non-stick foil.
Beat butter, brown sugar and salt together until creamy. Add flour and stir until it is fully blended – batter will be thick and crumbly. Stir in the nuts. Measure out about 1 cup and set aside. Press remainder into bottom of pan. Bake crust for 15 minutes.
Beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until creamy. Beat in lemon juice and vanilla, then add egg and milk and beat just until smooth.
Pour cheese mixture over baked crust. Sprinkle reserved crumb topping over top. Return to oven and bake for 25 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack, then transfer to refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.
Makes 12 bars
Recipe
Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter 76 grams
- ⅓ cup brown sugar 70 grams
- ¼ teaspoon salt omit if using salted butter
- 1 cup all purpose flour 126 grams)
- ½ cup chopped toasted nuts (pecans or almonds)
- 8 oz cream cheese softened (230 grams)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C). Grease an 8 inch square metal pan or line with non-stick foil.
- Beat butter, brown sugar and salt together until creamy. Add flour and stir until it is fully blended – batter will be thick and crumbly. Stir in the nuts. Measure out about 1 cup and set aside. Press remainder into bottom of pan. Bake crust for 15 minutes.
- Beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until creamy. Beat in lemon juice and vanilla, then add egg and milk and beat just until smooth.
- Pour cheese mixture over baked crust. Sprinkle reserved crumb topping over top. Return to oven and bake for 25 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack, then transfer to refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.
- Makes 12 bars
d says
I made these into mini cheesecakes and topped with fruit just before serving. Yummy and pretty!!
Anna says
Cool! Thanks for the review, Courtney!
Courtney says
I made these today, but omitted the nuts and added caramel syrup instead of lemon juice....OMG they are great!!!
Cookie says
Anna, do you think a flax egg would work? Thanks!
zrinka_cro says
Thank you, i've try those and they are great. One big thank you from Croatia!
Anna says
Carol, thanks for trying the recipe! I think I liked it for the same reasons you did. It was pretty straightforward and made with ingredients on hand.
Carol A, says
Yum! Or, Scrumptious! I made these last night - I mean, I had all the ingredients on hand, so how could I not? They really are quite easy, and very very good. I love having the same batter for the crust and then also crumbled on top. The filling is nice and cheesy with just a hint of lemon, and plenty sweet. Love 'em, thanks, Anna!
HoneyB says
Looks so yummy and sounds really easy!
Katrina says
Um, Yum!
Anna says
VeggieGirl, maybe if I start saying "Scrumptious!" over and over I'll get used to it.
BB, believe it or not, these are fairly portable. If you chill them long enough, they really firm up.
bakingblonde says
I love easy recipes like this! Too bad cheesecake is not the best dessert to transport during the summer months but they sure are great to eat! I love the idea of crumb topping on the bars!
VeggieGirl says
Sounds like a fun evening planned!!
I use the word "scrumptious" out loud, all the time, haha :0) Perfect word for those bars, for sure!