Description
Delicious and creamy no-bake cheesecake bars featuring a buttery graham cracker crust and a smooth, tangy cream cheese filling. Ready in just over 4 hours with simple ingredients and no oven required, these bars are perfect for a quick yet elegant dessert option.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup melted butter
Filling
- 2 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Topping (Optional)
- Fresh fruit compote
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a medium bowl, stirring until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Set the crust: Press the graham cracker mixture firmly into the bottom of an 8×8-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper, then refrigerate to set.
- Beat cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add sugar and vanilla: Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Whip heavy cream: In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Combine filling: Gently fold the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture to keep it airy and light.
- Add lemon juice: Stir in lemon juice evenly throughout the filling mixture.
- Assemble cheesecake bars: Pour the cheesecake filling over the chilled crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Chill to set: Refrigerate the assembled cheesecake bars for at least 4 hours or overnight until firm and set.
- Serve: Before serving, top with fresh fruit compote or your favorite toppings for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Press the crust firmly to prevent crumbling when cutting bars.
- Chill time is essential for the bars to set; avoid skipping this step.
- Fresh fruit compote adds natural sweetness and a burst of color but can be omitted or replaced with other toppings like chocolate or caramel sauce.
- Store leftover bars in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
