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    Home » Desserts

    Cheesecake Bars with Raspberry Swirl

    Published: Oct 26, 2022 by Nora Rey · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

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    Smooth and creamy Cheesecake Bars with Raspberry Swirl layered over a crisp graham crust—they are decadent but not overly sweet.

    You may also like Cheesecake Brownies from Brownie Mix.

    Cut up Cheesecake Bars with Raspberry Swirl.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients you’ll need
    • Notes and substitutions
    • How to make this recipe
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Watch how I make it here
    • Other dessert recipes you may like
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    Bitten Cheesecake Bar with Raspberry 
Swirl held by hand.

    Ingredients you’ll need

    Individual ingredients for Cheesecake Bars with Raspberry Swirl

    Notes and substitutions

    • Raspberries: Use fresh or frozen raspberries. Blueberries, strawberries, and other types of berries will also work. As an alternative, you can use about 6 tablespoons of store-bought jam.
    • Graham Crackers: Substitute with crunchy cookies like Biscoff, vanilla wafers, Oreo, or digestive cookies.
    • Sour cream: Greek yogurt is a good substitute—tangy like sour cream. You can also use heavy cream for a very creamy texture.
    • Cornstarch or Flour: It makes cheesecake firm and easier to cut. The texture is very creamy without it; you can skip it if you are not particular about it.

    How to make this recipe

    Prep and organize

    • Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 325° F (165° C).
    • Grease an 8x8-inch pan and line it with parchment paper.
    • Measure the ingredients accurately. Use a kitchen scale, if available.
    • Bring the eggs, cream cheese, and sour cream to room temperature.
    • Melt the butter in the microwave.

    (1)Combine 6 ounces raspberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a small saucepan. Mash them and reduce the liquid over medium heat for about 5 minutes.

    (2)Prepare a slurry by mixing 1 teaspoon cornstarch with a tablespoon of water. Stir it in.

    Mashing raspberries with a spatula in a small saucepan. Adding slurry to the mashed raspberries.

    (3)Let it thicken for about a minute to get a consistency like jam. Let it cool.

    Mixing raspberry sauce with a spatula in a small saucepan.

    (4)Pulse about 10 graham crackers into fine crumbs in a food processor or smash them in a zip-top bag. Add ¼ cup melted butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Process until combined.

    Crushed graham crackers with other ingredients in a food processor.

    (5)Spread the graham cracker mixture into the pan. Pack them down with a ramekin or the bottom of a glass. Bake it for 10 minutes, then let it cool.

    Pressing the crust firmly into the bottom of the pan with a ramekin.

    (6)Combine 1 pound cream cheese, ¼ cup sour cream, ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch or flour, a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest in a large bowl.

    With a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat on medium-low speed until smooth. Scrape the bottom and sides as needed. (7)Add 2 eggs and mix until just combined. Overmixing can cause cracks on the surface. 

    Mixing the ingredients with a hand mixer in a bowl. Beating eggs into the batter with an hand mixer in the bowl.

    (8)Pour the mixture over the cooled crust and spread it evenly with a spoon.

    Pouring the cheesecake batter on the crust.

    (9)Drop spoonfuls of the raspberry sauce on top. As an alternative, you can use your favorite jam instead.

    Adding dollops of raspberry sauce on the cheesecake batter. Adding dollops of store-bought jam on the cheesecake batter.

    (10)Create swirls using a knife, chopstick, or skewer.

    Swirling the raspberry sauce on the cheesecake batter with a skewer.

    (11)Bake for 30 minutes until set. The cheesecake is done when the center is set and no longer wet.

    Baked cheesecake with raspberry swirl on a pan.

    Let it cool completely in the pan uncovered. The condensation will make the crust soggy, or the layers separate when covered while still warm. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

    Slicing the Cheesecake Bars with Raspberry Swirl on a cutting board.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why do ingredients need to be at room temperature?

    It is easier to incorporate ingredients at room temperature without overmixing (e.g., eggs, cream cheese, sour cream, and butter). They mix evenly, producing a smooth batter with no chunks or lumps.

    Why do you need to pre-bake the crust?

    Prebaking will make the crust crispy and prevent it from getting soggy.

    Why isn’t a water bath necessary?

    A water bath bakes cheesecake slowly and creates moisture so the surface won't dry out and crack. You can skip this step by baking at a low temperature and not overbaking.

    What causes cracks on the surface?

    Cracks appear on the surface of the cheesecake as a result of overmixing and overbaking. A drastic temperature change may also be a reason, so let it come to room temperature before refrigerating.

    Watch how I make it here

    Other dessert recipes you may like

    • Red Velvet Cupcakes
    • Classic Banana Bread
    • Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies From Brownie Mix
    • Brookie Bars from Brownie Mix
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    📖 Recipe

    Cheesecake bars with raspberry swirl

    Cheesecake Bars with Raspberry Swirl

    Smooth and creamy Cheesecake Bars with Raspberry Swirl layered over a crisp graham crust.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Cool and Refrigerate: 5 hours
    Total Time: 6 hours
    Servings: 16 bars
    Calories: 195kcal
    Author: Nora Rey
    Cost: $10-$12

    Equipment

    • Food processor (optional)
    • Hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment
    • 8x8-inch baking pan

    Ingredients

    For the raspberry sauce (swirl):

    • 6 ounces fresh or frozen raspberries 6 tablespoons of store-bought jam
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

    For the crust:

    • 1½ cups graham crackers, about 10 crackers sub:Biscoff, vanilla wafers, Oreo, or digestive cookies.
    • ¼ cup butter melted
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar light or dark
    • Salt a pinch

    For the filling:

    • 1 pound cream cheese softened
    • ¼ cup sour cream at room temperature (see note)
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or flour
    • Salt a pinch
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 2 eggs at room temperature
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 325° F (165° C).
    • Combine raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Mash them and reduce the liquid over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
    • Prepare a slurry by mixing cornstarch with a tablespoon of water. Add it in and let it thicken for about a minute to get a consistency like jam. Let it cool.
    • Pulse graham crackers into fine crumbs in a food processor or smash them in a zip-top bag. Add melted butter, brown sugar, and salt; process until incorporated.
    • Spread the graham cracker mixture into the pan. Pack them down with a ramekin or the bottom of a glass. Bake it for 10 minutes, then let it cool.
    • Combine cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, cornstarch or flour, salt, vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Beat on medium-low speed until smooth. Scrape the bottom and sides as needed with a rubber spatula.
    • Add eggs and mix until just combined.
    • Pour the mixture over the cooled crust and spread it evenly with a spoon.
    • Drop spoonfuls of the raspberry sauce on top. Create swirls using a knife, chopstick, or skewer.
    • Bake for 30 minutes until set. The cheesecake is done when the center is set and no longer wet.
    • Let it cool completely in the pan uncovered. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    Sour cream: Greek yogurt is a good substitute—tangy like sour cream. You can also use heavy cream for a very creamy texture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 198mgPotassium: 92mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 443IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @recipesbynora or tag #RecipesByNora!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda

      September 03, 2021 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      I am making this next!

      Reply
      • Nora

        September 03, 2021 at 11:27 pm

        Thanks, Linda! Let me know what you think! =)

        Reply
    2. Dennis

      September 02, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      Wow! This looks so creamy! Good job Nora

      Reply
    3. Bim

      September 02, 2021 at 4:22 pm

      Wow, love this! Will make this in the future. I’m sure this is yummy.

      Reply
    4. Aurora

      September 02, 2021 at 4:22 pm

      5 stars
      Such a pretty and delicious treat and is a party fav!

      Reply

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