Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bars – Creamy cheesecake bars with a buttery graham cracker crust and topped with salted caramel sauce … This is the perfect Cheesecake Bars Recipe!
These cheesecake bars are the reason I have gone up two pant sizes.
I am not even kidding. The very first time I made the recipe I fell in love. Now, I am asked to make it for every single family event.
I have made them as a strawberry, blueberry, and pumpkin version. But salted caramel is by far my favorite.
I start with the base of a buttery graham cracker crust. Top that with a creamy decadent cheesecake filling, and top with a homemade caramel.
The big finish? Sprinkle with fleur de sel for an elegant flavor.
Do not skip that last step! The salt is what boosts the flavors of this entire dessert. It helps blend things together and gives you the very best cheesecake bars.
What is Fleur De Sel?
Fleur De Sel is a finishing salt with a light and moist texture. Its delicate flavor is perfect for desserts! It gives the boost you need while avoiding overpowering the dish.
What kind of cookies should I use in my cheesecake crust?
I love this question and get it frequently. You can really use any crunchy cookie for a crust base. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Oreo’s or any other chocolate wafer cookie
- Graham crackers
- Vanilla Wafer Cookies
- Gingersnaps
- Animal crackers
- Cereal
- Pretzels
- Ice cream cones
What are the best cheesecake toppings?
Cheesecake is amazing all on its own, but if you would like to add a fun topping I suggest:
- Berry pie topping (blueberry, strawberry, blackberry…)
- Caramel Sauce
- Fresh fruit
- Cookie crumbles
- Chocolate sauce
- Strudel topping
Tips to make no-fail cheesecake bars:
- Use room temperature ingredients. I can’t stress this enough. Room temperature ingredients will blend together smoothly and help keep your batter from being overly lumpy.
- Avoid over mixing. Over mixing the batter can cause you cheesecake to crack. Mixing with the paddle attachment on medium low speed will give you a creamy batter ready to be baked.
- Chill completely before cutting. Once your cheesecake has cooled to room temperature, refrigerate. You want the bars to be completely cooled before slicing.
Like this recipe? You will love mu:
- Classic Cheesecake Bars
- The BEST Cheesecake
- Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
- Caramel Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
How to make Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bars:
Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 3/4 cup finely crushed graham crackers
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 8oz package cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For the Caramel:
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Mist a 9×9 square pan non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Stir the butter, graham crackers, flour, and 2 tablespoons of sugar together with a fork. Press into the bottom of you prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes or until light brown.
- Cream together the cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer. Pour over your warm crust,
- Bake 20 minutes or until the center looks like it has set. Cool until room temperature and refrigerate for at least 2 hours if not overnight.
- Combine the brown sugar, half-and-half, and butter in a sauce pan. Cook on medium low heat, whisking the entire time, for 6 minutes or until it slightly thickens. Stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Turn off the heat and let it cool slightly. Drizzle over your cooled bars and serve.
Raquel
Thursday 7th of May 2020
This recipe with 4 eggs is way too many eggs. The pre baked cheesecake mixture was way runnier than my other mixtures and baked up way too eggy with a weird texture not creamy cheesecake. Double check your post-4 eggs was overkill.
Jesseca
Friday 8th of May 2020
Hi there, I'm sorry you felt that way. We have made this recipe many many times and have never encountered this problem. I'd be happy to help troubleshoot what went wrong if you would like.
Katy
Tuesday 12th of November 2019
If I want to make more than 9 bars (double the recipe), should I make two separate pans or can I just make them in a larger pan?
Jesseca
Wednesday 13th of November 2019
You could make them in a larger pan. You might need to increase the cook time by a few minutes.
Cindy
Friday 30th of October 2015
Hi, I know this is an older post but I just made these last night and they were so good! I was trying to make a Twix type dessert for a Halloween party and I used the basic recipe above plus I added some salted caramel to the cheesecake mix. Covered the entire thing with chocolate ganache and chopped Twix bars and it was divine! I saw your blueberry version and I think I'll try that as well...I have some whole cherries that I pitted and froze while they were in season, so that would be a nice treat. Thank you!
Jesseca
Friday 30th of October 2015
I am SO glad you liked them! These bars are a staple dessert here and we are always coming up with new ways to serve them. I just read how you changed things to my husband and he's decided we need to make them that way ASAP.
Tabitha
Wednesday 24th of December 2014
When I mix the cream cheese, eggs, sugar, milk, and vanilla, it comes out chunky. I've tried mixing it with my mixer for a while and it looks good until you take a spoon and dip it to the bottom. All of the chunks just fall to the bottom. What am I doing wrong? :(
Jesseca
Tuesday 30th of December 2014
Is the cream cheese at room temperature? Sometimes I end up with a few cream cheese chunks if it's too cold. Try whipping just the cream cheese with the sugar until it's smooth . Add the eggs after that until fully incorporated followed by the milk and vanilla.
Jackie
Saturday 27th of September 2014
Hi
There are no blueberries listed in the ingredient's list.