Strawberry Cream Cheese Bars With Graham Cracker Crust
If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that's easy to make and bursting with flavor, look no further than strawberry cream cheese bars with graham cracker crust. These bars are perfect for summer parties, potlucks, or just satisfying your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
For the graham cracker crust, you'll need:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the cream cheese filling, you'll need:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the strawberry topping, you'll need:
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Optional toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Additional sliced strawberries
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Stir until the mixture is evenly moistened.
Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, using your fingers or the back of a spoon to smooth it out.
Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven and let it cool while you prepare the filling.
Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until it's smooth and creamy.
Add the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until the mixture is well combined and fluffy.
Pour the cream cheese filling over the cooled graham cracker crust, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
Step 3: Prepare the Strawberry Topping
In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and water.
Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the strawberries have released their juices and the mixture has thickened.
Remove the strawberry mixture from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
Pour the strawberry topping over the cream cheese filling, spreading it out evenly.
Step 4: Bake and Serve
Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are golden brown.
Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool to room temperature.
Once the bars are cool, you can cut them into squares and serve them with whipped cream and additional sliced strawberries, if desired.
Tips and Variations
- If you don't have fresh strawberries, you can use frozen strawberries instead. Just be sure to thaw them and drain off any excess liquid before using them in the recipe.
- You can also experiment with different types of fruit toppings, such as blueberries, raspberries, or peaches.
- If you want to make the bars a little bit healthier, you can use reduced-fat cream cheese and substitute some of the sugar with honey or maple syrup.
Conclusion
Strawberry cream cheese bars with graham cracker crust are a delicious and easy dessert that's perfect for any occasion. With a sweet and creamy filling and a tangy strawberry topping, these bars are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Plus, they're easy to make and can be customized with your favorite fruit toppings. So why not give this recipe a try and see for yourself just how delicious these bars can be?
