Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

These Strawberry Cheesecake Bars are like three desserts in one: buttery graham crust, creamy cheesecake, and a sweet-tart strawberry layer finished with a crunchy oatmeal crumble. They’re baked in a square pan, so they’re way easier to slice and serve than a full cheesecake, but still feel special enough for holidays, parties, or a fun weekend treat. The strawberry filling is cooked down until it tastes just like pie filling, so every bite has real fruit flavor instead of just jam. Once chilled, the bars cut into beautiful layers that hold their shape. Serve them cold and enjoy that perfect combo of creamy, crumbly, and fruity in each bite.

Ingredients

Crust

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted

Cheesecake

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Strawberry Filling

• 3 cups chopped strawberries
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ tablespoons cornstarch

Oatmeal Crumble

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and finely diced

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting; set aside.
2. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar, then pour in the melted butter and mix until evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 8 minutes; set aside to cool slightly.
3. Make the cheesecake layer: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, ¾ cup granulated sugar, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth and creamy; set aside.
4. Make the strawberry filling: In a medium saucepan, cook the chopped strawberries, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon vanilla over medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes, until the berries are soft and juicy.
5. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and cornstarch, then whisk this into the strawberry mixture and cook for about 2 more minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened and resembling pie filling. Remove from heat to cool slightly.
6. Make the oatmeal crumble: In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cold diced butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until a coarse, crumbly mixture forms.
7. Assemble: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust and spread it into an even layer. Spoon the strawberry filling over the cheesecake layer, then sprinkle the oatmeal crumble evenly over the top.
8. Bake for 50–70 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and the center looks set. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30–60 minutes.
9. Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, before lifting out by the parchment and slicing into bars.

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 60 minutes | Total Time: 6 hours (including chilling)
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 16

Tips

For the best texture and flavor, use room-temperature cream cheese and gently pack the graham crust so it holds together but doesn’t turn rock-hard once chilled.

Let the bars cool completely and chill for several hours (or overnight) before cutting; store slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days, with parchment between layers if stacking.

FAQ

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries—no need to thaw, but you may need a few extra minutes of cooking time to get the filling thick and jammy.

Do I have to use a 9×9-inch pan?
A 9×9 gives nice thick layers; you can use an 8×8 for even thicker bars (add a bit of baking time) or a 9×13 for thinner bars (reduce baking time and keep an eye on it).

Can I make these ahead of time?
Definitely. These are perfect make-ahead bars—just bake, chill overnight, and slice right before serving.

Can I skip the oatmeal crumble?
You can, but you’ll miss that crunchy topping. If you prefer, you can just do the crust, cheesecake, and strawberry layers and bake until set.

Can I freeze strawberry cheesecake bars?
Yes. Freeze the fully cooled, sliced bars on a tray, then wrap individually and store in a container. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy chilled.