New York-Style Cheesecake Bars have a classic cheesecake filling and crunchy graham cracker crust! Full-fat cream cheese and sour cream are the secret to an ultra creamy cheesecake filling! Cut into squares and top with whipped cream and strawberries for a crowd-pleasing dessert everyone will love.
38-ounce packagesfull-fat cream cheeseroom temperature
1cup (227g)full-fat sour creamroom temperature
1 and 1/4cups granulated sugar
3teaspoonspure vanilla extract
3large eggs room temperature
2largeegg yolks room temperature
2teaspoonslemon juice
1teaspoonlemon zestfinely grated
2teaspoonsall-purpose flour
1/2cupheavy creamroom temperature
Instructions
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, allowing two of the sides to overlap (you want an overhang of at least 2-inches on two sides) and spray lightly with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter and, using a rubber spatula, mix well to combine. Press the mixture into the bottom - and slightly up the sides - of the prepared pan.
Bake the crust in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and set aside on a cooling rack until needed.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees (F).
For the New York-Style Cheesecake Bars:
In the body of a high power blender, food processor, stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or in a large bowl using a hand held electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sour cream until completely smooth.
Add sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides and bottom of bowl as needed. Add in the eggs and yolks and beat until combined.
Add in the lemon juice and lemon zest and beat until combined. Stir in the flour, mixing just until combined.
Using a rubber spatula, fold in the cream, mixing just until it's incorporated in the batter.
Pour filling on top of prepared crust, and spread evenly.
Check to ensure your oven has cooled to 325°F, then place the pan in the oven and bake for 38 to 40 minutes, or until the edges have set and the middle is still a little jiggly. The cheesecake will firm up a lot as they cool.
Remove the bars from the oven, and cool at room temperature for one hour. Then refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
When you're ready to serve: use the foil overhang to lift the cheesecake bars from the pan and transfer them to a cutting board. Using a large, sharp knife, slice the slab into squares, wiping the knife clean with a damp cloth between slices. Serve at once.
Video
Notes
These New York-Style Cheesecake Bars will keep, stored in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days. You may also freeze them for up to 2 months.To freeze: fully cool the cheesecake bars, then place the cooled cheesecake (whole or sliced) on a freezer-friendly platter and freeze, uncovered, until completely firm. Once firm, remove the cheesecake from the freezer and wrap it in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Then place it in a freezer bag; seal the bag and return it to freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to serve: remove the foil and defrost in the fridge overnight.