Description
Delightful strawberry crunch cheesecake bars bring summer’s sweetest memories to life with creamy layers and crisp graham cracker textures. Summer dessert enthusiasts will savor each blissful bite of this irresistible treat that balances rich cheesecake and fresh strawberry essence.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Base:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling:
- 1 package (8 ounces / 226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (14 ounces / 397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) whipped cream
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) strawberry jam
Topping:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
- 1 cup granola
Instructions
- Crush graham crackers into fine particles and blend with sugar and melted butter, creating a uniform base mixture.
- Press the cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a rectangular baking dish, creating a compact foundational layer.
- Whip cream cheese until achieving a light, airy consistency with no visible lumps.
- Gradually incorporate condensed milk, blending smoothly while continuously mixing to prevent separation.
- Add fresh lemon juice and pure vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture, stirring until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture.
- Gently pour the cream cheese blend over the prepared graham cracker crust, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Refrigerate the initial layer for approximately 2 hours, allowing the mixture to set and firm completely.
- Dice fresh strawberries into small, uniform pieces for consistent texture.
- Fold whipped cream and strawberry jam into the chopped strawberries, creating a vibrant, glossy topping.
- Spread the strawberry mixture carefully across the chilled cream cheese layer, maintaining an even distribution.
- Generously sprinkle granola over the strawberry layer, providing a delightful crunchy contrast.
- Return the dessert to the refrigerator and chill for an additional hour to allow flavors to meld and topping to set.
Notes
- Crumb Crust Tip: Press the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly to create a solid, compact base that won’t crumble when cutting the bars.
- Cream Cheese Smoothness: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to achieve a silky, lump-free filling that blends perfectly.
- Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be prepared a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld and making party prep a breeze.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives and use dairy-free cream cheese for a gluten-free and vegan-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 314 kcal
- Sugar: 31 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg