Heavenly Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars Recipe for Sweet Tooths

Sweet memories dance through my kitchen whenever I whip up this decadent dulce de leche cheesecake bars recipe that melts hearts instantly.

Creamy layers promise pure indulgence with every single bite.

Argentine-inspired desserts always spark joy in my culinary adventures.

Soft cream cheese mingles beautifully with rich caramel notes, creating a symphony of flavors.

Delicate graham cracker crusts provide a perfect crisp foundation for these irresistible treats.

Smooth and luxurious textures await those brave enough to sample this delightful confection.

Prepare to experience a dessert that will become your new obsession.

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars That Melt on Your Tongue

• Quick & Easy Prep: Whip up these decadent bars in under an hour with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for busy home bakers craving a sweet treat.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Combines the rich, velvety texture of cheesecake with the caramel-like sweetness of dulce de leche, guaranteed to impress family and friends at gatherings.
• Portable Party Favorite: Cut into neat squares for easy serving at potlucks, birthdays, or casual get-togethers, making them a versatile and convenient dessert option.
• Comfort Baking Delight: Offers a satisfying baking experience with minimal technical skill required, allowing both novice and experienced bakers to create a delicious homemade dessert.

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars Ingredients

• Graham Cracker Crumbs, Sugar, Butter: A sweet and buttery base that provides a classic, crunchy foundation for the cheesecake bars with a rich, golden flavor.

• Cream Cheese: The primary creamy component that gives the cheesecake its luxurious texture and tangy base flavor. Room temperature cream cheese blends smoothly and prevents lumps.
• Eggs: Help bind and stabilize the cheesecake filling, creating a silky, consistent texture. Fresh eggs work best.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cheesecake's overall flavor profile. Pure vanilla extract offers the most authentic taste.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides balanced sweetness and helps create a smooth, creamy filling.

• Dulce de Leche: A rich, caramel-like sauce that adds a luxurious, sweet layer of flavor. Mexican or Argentine styles work wonderfully. Homemade or store-bought versions are both acceptable.
• Sour Cream: Adds a tangy contrast and helps create a silky, creamy texture in the topping. Full-fat sour cream provides the best results.

Cheesecake Bars Dulce Prep Guide

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 325°F, creating the perfect baking environment for your delectable dessert.

Step 2: Craft The Crumbly Base

In a mixing bowl, combine your graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.

Stir these ingredients until they transform into a sandy, cohesive mixture that promises a delightful foundation for your cheesecake bars.

Step 3: Create The Crust

Gently press the crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking pan.

Make sure to line the pan with parchment paper first, which will help you lift out the bars with ease later.

Step 4: Prebake The Crust

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes.

This quick bake helps set the crust and intensifies its rich, toasty flavor.

Once done, remove and allow the crust to cool completely, letting it rest and firm up.

Step 5: Whip The Cheesecake Filling

• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs

Whisk these ingredients until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.

Step 6: Pour And Swirl The Filling

Carefully pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust.

Drizzle dulce de leche across the top, then use a knife to create beautiful swirling patterns.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Return the pan to the oven and bake until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle, typically around 35-40 minutes.

Step 8: Cool And Chill

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool at room temperature.

Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to allow the bars to set completely.

Step 9: Slice And Serve

Using the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan.

Slice into squares and serve chilled, revealing the luscious layers of crust, cheesecake, and caramel-like dulce de leche.

Bar Tips for Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars

• Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the pan to create a solid base that won't crumble when cutting bars.
• Beat cream cheese at room temperature to ensure a silky, lump-free filling that blends perfectly with dulce de leche.
• Place the baking pan in a larger pan filled with hot water to create gentle, even heating and prevent surface cracks.
• Refrigerate cheesecake bars for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and achieve the ideal firm, creamy consistency.
• Run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe dry between cuts for clean, precise edges when serving the bars.

Cheesecake Bars Leftovers

• Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
• Wrap the cheesecake bars with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Place bars in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
• Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight, ensuring they maintain their creamy texture and rich flavor.

Tasty Matches for Cheesecake Bars

• Sip Caramel-Rich Coffee: Pair these decadent cheesecake bars with a robust Colombian or Brazilian coffee, which balances the sweetness with deep, aromatic notes.
• Complement with Golden Dessert Wine: Choose a late-harvest Sauternes or a sweet Moscato d'Asti to echo the dulce de leche's caramel tones and enhance the dessert's creamy texture.
• Refresh with Cinnamon Tea: Brew a warm cup of Mexican-style cinnamon tea, letting its spicy warmth cut through the richness and provide a delightful counterpoint to the sweet cheesecake bars.
• Match with Nutty Liqueur: Drizzle a small glass of hazelnut or almond liqueur alongside the bars, creating a harmonious blend of nutty and caramel flavors that elevate the dessert experience.

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars Sweet Versions

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs, ensuring a crisp crust for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese, use coconut condensed milk instead of dulce de leche, and employ coconut oil in place of butter for a plant-based treat.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use sugar-free dulce de leche to create a diabetic-friendly dessert with reduced calorie content.
• No-Bake Alternative: Skip the oven entirely by chilling the crust and using gelatin or agar-agar to set the cheesecake filling, perfect for hot summer days or when you want to avoid baking.

FAQs

• What ingredients make the crust of these bars?

Graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter are mixed together to create a sweet and crunchy base for the cheesecake bars.

• How do I prevent the cheesecake bars from sticking to the pan?

Line the 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper before pressing the graham cracker crust mixture into the bottom. This ensures easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.

• What gives these cheesecake bars their rich flavor?

The combination of cream cheese and dulce de leche creates a luxurious, creamy texture with a deep caramel-like sweetness that makes these bars incredibly indulgent.

• Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, these dulce de leche cheesecake bars can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and making them perfect for entertaining or preparing ahead of a special occasion.

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Dulce de leche cheesecake bars elevate dessert expectations with their luxurious caramel-infused richness. Silky layers of smooth cream cheese and golden dulce de leche promise indulgent moments you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 (8 ounces/226 grams) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) dulce de leche (plus more for drizzling)
• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Combine graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter until a cohesive mixture forms, ensuring even moisture distribution.
2. Gently press the sandy mixture into a parchment-lined 9×9-inch baking pan, creating a uniform base with light, even pressure.
3. Bake the crust in a preheated 325°F (165°C) oven for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the edges to turn golden and crisp.
4. Remove the crust and let it cool completely, which helps set the foundation for the subsequent layers.
5. Beat cream cheese until smooth and velvety, eliminating any potential lumps for a silky texture.
6. Gradually incorporate sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a homogeneous cheesecake batter.
7. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cooled graham cracker crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
8. Drizzle dulce de leche across the surface in elegant swirls, using a knife to create intricate marbling patterns.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, watching for a slight jiggle in the center that indicates perfect doneness.
10. Allow the cheesecake bars to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours to enable proper setting.
11. Cut into precise squares, wiping the knife clean between each slice for neat presentation.

Notes

• Crumble the graham crackers finely to ensure a smooth, compact crust that holds together perfectly when sliced.
• Use room temperature cream cheese to prevent lumps and create a silky, velvety cheesecake texture that melts in your mouth.
• For a gluten-free version, swap graham crackers with gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground nuts like almonds for a delicious alternative base.
• Chill the bars completely before cutting to achieve clean, precise slices that showcase the beautiful layers of dulce de leche and creamy cheesecake.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg