Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Indulge in these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, a dreamy dessert that combines rich, creamy cheesecake with a luscious strawberry swirl and a smooth chocolate coating.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs about 10 full graham crackers
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup strawberry puree fresh or frozen strawberries, blended
Topping:
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
- Optional: Pink or red sprinkles for a festive touch
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in the vanilla extract, sour cream, and strawberry puree until fully incorporated.
- Pour the filling over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are slightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring until smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the chilled cheesecake, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries and sprinkles while the chocolate is still soft.
- Once the chocolate has set, use a sharp knife to cut the cheesecake into bars. Clean the knife between slices for neat edges.
- Serve chilled and enjoy the creamy, chocolatey, and fruity perfection!
Notes
Recipe Notes
- Strawberry Puree Tip: If using frozen strawberries, thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before blending.
- Make-Ahead: These bars can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Substitutions: Swap graham cracker crumbs for Oreo crumbs for a chocolatey crust.
- Decoration Tip: Drizzle extra melted white chocolate on top for an elegant touch.