Dreamy Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars Recipe – Sweet Bliss

Baking delectable snickerdoodle cheesecake bars brings pure joy to any dessert lover’s heart.

These irresistible treats combine the classic comfort of cinnamon-sugar cookies with rich, creamy cheesecake layers.

Soft, buttery cookie bases cradle a velvety smooth filling that melts in your mouth.

Every bite promises a delightful dance of warm spices and tangy cream cheese.

The crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping adds a perfect textural contrast to the silky interior.

Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this dessert accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling time)

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 13

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars Ingredient List

• Graham Crackers: Provides a classic, crispy foundation with sweet undertones perfect for cheesecake base.
• Pecans: Adds rich, nutty depth and delightful crunch to the graham cracker crust.
• Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps bind the crust ingredients together.
• Butter: Melts and helps compact the crumb mixture into a solid, delectable base.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, luxurious texture and tangy flavor essential for creamy cheesecake.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances cream cheese's tanginess and provides perfect sweetness.
• Eggs: Acts as binding agent and contributes to rich, silky consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth to the cheesecake layer.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, spicy undertones complementing the dessert's overall flavor profile.

• Butter: Provides richness and helps create soft, tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Contributes sweetness and helps achieve golden-brown coloring.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with sweet, comforting essence.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookie layer rise and become light and fluffy.
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors.
• Flour: Forms the structural base of the cookie layer.
• Cinnamon: Delivers signature snickerdoodle warmth and spice.
• Pecans: Introduces delightful nutty crunch throughout cookie layer.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates sparkling, sweet crust on top.
• Cinnamon: Adds final aromatic, warming touch to the dessert.

Tools You’ll Need to Bake Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

• Food Processor: Essential for grinding graham crackers and pecans into fine crumbs.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for preparing cheesecake filling and cookie dough.
• Electric Mixer with Whisk Attachment: Crucial for beating cream cheese and creating smooth mixtures.
• 13×9-inch Baking Dish: Key for assembling and baking the bars.
• Parchment Paper: Helps with easy removal and cleanup.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Spatula: Great for spreading and folding ingredients.
• Small Bowls: Useful for mixing topping and preparing separate components.

How to Make Cinnamon-Flecked Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

• Crust Foundation

Create a crumbly base using graham crackers, pecans, and sugar. Press the mixture firmly into a lined baking dish, ensuring an even layer that will support the creamy layers above.

• Cheesecake Landscape

Whip cream cheese with sweet seasonings until silky smooth. Pour this luxurious mixture over the prepared crust, creating a velvety canvas for the next delightful layer.

• Cookie Blanket

Craft a tender cookie dough with warm spices and pecans. Gently spread this fragrant layer across the cheesecake, covering it completely like a cozy comforter.

• Cinnamon Sparkle

Dust the entire surface with a magical blend of sugar and cinnamon, adding a sparkling finish that promises delicious warmth in every bite.

• Baking Magic

Slide the dish into a preheated oven. Watch as the layers transform, with the top turning golden and the center becoming wonderfully set but still tender.

• Chilling Transformation

Allow the bars to cool completely, then refrigerate. This resting period helps the flavors meld and creates perfect, clean-cut squares ready to be devoured.

Tips to Perfect Texture in Cheesecake Bars

• Ensure even baking by rotating the pan halfway through cooking to prevent uneven browning on the snickerdoodle layer.
• Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different flavor profile and added crunch in the cookie dough layer.
• Prepare the bars up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for stress-free entertaining and quick dessert options.
• Reduce sugar in the cookie dough or cheesecake layers by 2-3 tablespoons if you prefer a less sweet dessert, maintaining the classic snickerdoodle taste.
• Drizzle melted white chocolate or caramel sauce over the chilled bars just before serving to add a gourmet touch and create a stunning visual appeal.

How to Serve Snickerdoodle Bars at Events

• Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning dessert board with these cheesecake bars alongside fresh berries, whipped cream, and caramel drizzle for a crowd-pleasing presentation.
• Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair these bars with a warm cup of cinnamon-spiced coffee or a creamy latte to enhance the snickerdoodle flavor profile and create a delightful afternoon treat.
• Holiday Gifting Delight: Package individual bars in clear cellophane with a festive ribbon for a homemade gift that will wow friends and family during special occasions and celebrations.
• Brunch Showstopper: Serve as a decadent finale to a weekend brunch spread, complementing other sweet and savory dishes with its rich, cinnamon-infused layers of goodness.

How to Store Cheesecake Bars and Keep Them Set

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Wrap the cheesecake bars tightly in aluminum foil or transfer to an airtight container to maintain freshness. These delectable treats will stay delicious for up to 5 days when stored in the refrigerator's main compartment.
• Freezing Magic: Want longer storage? Carefully stack the bars between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They'll maintain their incredible taste for 2-3 months when frozen. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Room Temperature Tips: Allow chilled bars to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. This gentle warming helps soften the texture and enhances the rich, creamy flavor profile of the dessert.
• Portion Control Hack: Cut the entire batch into squares before storing. This makes grabbing a quick dessert super easy and prevents repeated cutting that might compromise the bars' beautiful layers and appearance.

Dreamy Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling time)
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Delectable snickerdoodle cheesecake bars combine classic cinnamon-sugar cookies with creamy cheesecake for an irresistible dessert. Rich layers and warm spices create a memorable treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 packets (16 oz / 452 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter, softened and melted
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar (snickerdoodle layer)
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar (cheesecake filling)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar (crust)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar (topping)
• 1 ½ cups (190 g) graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full-size graham crackers)
• 1 cup (100 g) chopped pecans
• 1 ½ tsps cinnamon
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• ¼ tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Fire up the oven to 350°F and meticulously line a 13×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. Crust Construction: Pulverize graham crackers, pecans, and sugar into fine, uniform crumbs, then marry with melted butter to create a cohesive base. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Cheesecake Creation: Whip cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon until achieving a luxuriously smooth and aerated consistency. Elegantly pour the mixture over the prepared crust, spreading uniformly.
4. Cookie Dough Development: Cream butter and sugar until light and voluminous. Integrate egg and vanilla, then gently fold in flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon to form a supple snickerdoodle dough. Fold in chopped pecans.
5. Layering and Topping: Strategically distribute cookie dough across the cheesecake layer, creating complete coverage. Sprinkle a generous dusting of cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top.
6. Baking and Cooling: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the cookie surface turns golden-brown and the center maintains a slight wobble. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours.
7. Serving Finale: Once thoroughly chilled, slice into elegant squares and present this decadent dessert.

Notes

• Crust Consistency Check: Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly to prevent crumbling and ensure a stable base for the cheesecake bars.
• Cheesecake Smoothness Secret: Whip cream cheese at room temperature to achieve a silky, lump-free filling that blends seamlessly.
• Baking Precision Pointer: Watch for golden-brown cookie topping and a slight center jiggle, which indicates perfect doneness without overbaking.
• Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow flavors to meld and texture to set, creating a more cohesive and delectable dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg