Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Ingredients

Makes 24 Bars

• 1½ pounds (three 8-ounce packages) cream cheese
• ¾ cup (1½ sticks) butter
• 2½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon salt (some for the crust, some for the filling)
• 2/3 cup (packed) light brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

Method

1. About an hour ahead of time, unwrap the cream cheese and place it in a large bowl
2. Use a table knife to cut it into 1-inch pieces, and let it stand at room temperature to soften
3. Adjust the oven rack to a medium-low position and preheat the oven to 350°f (325°f if you’re using a glass pan)
4. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave (30 to 60 seconds on high power), or in a small saucepan over low heat
5. Combine the flour, cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl, and stir briefly
6. Crumble in the brown sugar, and then pour in the melted butter, scraping it all in with a rubber spatula
7. Use a spoon or fork to mix the butter into the dry ingredients until uniformly blended
8. Transfer this mixture to an ungreased 9-by 13-inch pan, and pat/press it evenly and firmly into place, forming a crust that coats the entire bottom surface of the pan
9. Add the eggs, lemon juice, vanilla extract, the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, and the granulated sugar to the softened cream cheese
10. Use a handheld electric mixer (or a sturdy whisk) to beat all these ingredients together
11. Start slowly, so as not to splash, and then gradually work your way up to high speed as the batter comes together
12. Keep going until the mixture is uniformly blended
13. There will still be some small lumps of cream cheese, and that is fine
14. Pour this mixture on top of the crust, scraping in every last bit with a rubber spatula
15. There’s no need to spread it; it will form an even layer on its own
16. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, the top looks dry, and nothing jiggles when you shake the pan
17. Remove the pan from the oven, and immediately use a very sharp knife to cut 24 bars with a gentle sawing motion, so as not to disturb the lovely top surface
18. Cool completely in the pan before lifting out the squares

Full List of Cheesecake Recipes
Full List of Bar Recipes