Indulge in the delightful combination of creamy cheesecake and tangy raspberries with these raspberry swirl cheesecake bars. Perfect for any occasion, these bars offer a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds craving more. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, they are sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, but you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. Make sure to get graham cracker crumbs for the crust, cream cheese for the filling, and raspberry preserves for the swirl. These ingredients are essential for achieving the perfect texture and flavor in your cheesecake bars.
Ingredients for Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Graham cracker crumbs: These provide the base for the crust, adding a sweet and slightly crunchy texture.
Sugar: Used to sweeten both the crust and the cheesecake filling.
Butter: Melted butter helps bind the graham cracker crumbs together to form the crust.
Cream cheese: The main ingredient for the cheesecake filling, giving it a rich and creamy texture.
Eggs: These help to set the cheesecake filling, giving it structure and stability.
Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle, sweet flavor to the cheesecake filling.
Raspberry preserves: Swirled into the cheesecake filling, these add a burst of fruity flavor and a beautiful marbled effect.
Technique Tip for Making These Cheesecake Bars
When swirling the raspberry preserves into the cream cheese mixture, use a light hand and a gentle motion to create a beautiful marbled effect. Overmixing can cause the preserves to blend too much with the cheesecake filling, losing the distinct swirl pattern.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
graham cracker crumbs - Substitute with digestive biscuits crumbs: Digestive biscuits provide a similar texture and slightly sweet flavor that works well as a crust.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can add a natural sweetness and a bit of moisture to the crust.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar binding effect and adds a subtle coconut flavor.
cream cheese - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can offer a tangy flavor and creamy texture, though it may be slightly less rich.
sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can add a natural sweetness and a unique flavor profile.
eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoon water per egg) can act as a binding agent and are a good vegan alternative.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor that can enhance the overall taste.
raspberry preserves - Substitute with strawberry preserves: Strawberry preserves offer a similar texture and sweetness with a slightly different fruit flavor.
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How to Store / Freeze These Cheesecake Bars
Allow the cheesecake bars to cool completely at room temperature. This ensures that the dessert sets properly and prevents condensation from forming when stored.
Once cooled, cover the baking pan tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps to maintain the bars' freshness and prevents them from absorbing any unwanted odors from the refrigerator.
For longer storage, cut the cheesecake bars into individual portions. Place each bar in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap. This makes it easier to grab a single serving without exposing the rest to air.
To freeze, place the wrapped cheesecake bars in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for about 1-2 hours, or until they are firm. This step prevents the bars from sticking together.
Once frozen, transfer the bars to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of their freshness. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the cheesecake bars in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps maintain their creamy texture.
For a quicker option, you can also thaw the bars at room temperature for about 30 minutes. However, be mindful not to leave them out for too long to avoid any risk of spoilage.
Always store the cheesecake bars in the refrigerator when not consuming immediately. They should be kept chilled to maintain their texture and flavor.
If you notice any changes in texture, color, or smell, it's best to discard the cheesecake bars to ensure food safety.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the raspberry swirl cheesecake bars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cover the bars loosely with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
- Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are warmed through.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Microwave Method:
- Place a raspberry swirl cheesecake bar on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover the bar with a microwave-safe cover or another plate to retain moisture.
- Heat on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Check the temperature and heat in additional 10-second intervals if needed.
- Let it sit for a minute before enjoying, as the center might be hotter than the edges.
Water Bath Method:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the raspberry swirl cheesecake bars in an oven-safe dish.
- Fill a larger baking dish with hot water and place the dish with the bars inside it, creating a water bath.
- Cover the larger dish with aluminum foil.
- Heat in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the bars are warmed through.
- Carefully remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Room Temperature Method:
- Remove the raspberry swirl cheesecake bars from the refrigerator.
- Let them sit at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes.
- This method is ideal if you prefer a softer texture without using heat.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the raspberry swirl cheesecake bars on a toaster oven tray lined with parchment paper.
- Cover the bars loosely with aluminum foil.
- Heat for about 10-12 minutes, or until they are warmed through.
- Remove from the toaster oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Best Tools for Making These Cheesecake Bars
Oven: Used to bake the crust and the cheesecake bars at the specified temperatures.
Parchment paper: Lines the baking pan to prevent sticking and makes it easier to remove the bars.
9x9-inch baking pan: The container in which the crust and cheesecake mixture are baked.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, as well as to mix the cream cheese filling.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, butter, and raspberry preserves.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract and to drop the raspberry preserves by teaspoonfuls.
Electric mixer: Helps to beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and to mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.
Spatula: Useful for spreading the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust.
Knife: Used to swirl the raspberry preserves through the cream cheese filling.
Cooling rack: Allows the baked cheesecake bars to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
Refrigerator: Used to chill the cheesecake bars for at least 2 hours to set properly before cutting.
How to Save Time on Making These Cheesecake Bars
Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure and set out all ingredients before starting. This minimizes interruptions and ensures a smoother process.
Use a food processor: Quickly crush graham crackers into crumbs using a food processor, saving time compared to manual crushing.
Soften cream cheese quickly: To soften cream cheese faster, cut it into smaller pieces and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
Microwave preserves: Slightly warm the raspberry preserves in the microwave for easier swirling.
Preheat oven early: Start preheating the oven while preparing the crust to save time.
Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1.5 cups Graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup Sugar
- ½ cup Butter, melted
Filling
- 16 oz Cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ¼ cup Raspberry preserves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake crust for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
- Pour cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust. Drop raspberry preserves by teaspoonfuls over the filling. Use a knife to swirl the preserves through the filling.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses for This Recipe
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