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Irresistible Churro Cheesecake Bars

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These churro cheesecake bars feature a crispy cinnamon-sugar crust with a creamy cheesecake center, perfect for festive occasions like Cinco de Mayo. They are quick, easy, and a crowd-pleasing dessert with a fun churro twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (or crushed cinnamon churros)
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 16 ounces (450g) cream cheese, softened
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (for topping)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter until mixture holds together. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan (about 1/4 inch thick). Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool slightly.
  3. Prepare the cheesecake filling: Beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth (2-3 minutes). Gradually add ⅔ cup sugar and beat until combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Blend in vanilla extract and sour cream, mixing just until smooth. Avoid overmixing.
  4. Pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the cooled crust and smooth the top.
  5. Bake for 35-40 minutes until edges are set but center still jiggles slightly. Avoid overbaking.
  6. Make the topping: Mix 2 tablespoons melted butter with ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Immediately sprinkle over the hot cheesecake once out of the oven.
  7. Cool bars at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  8. Slice into 12 bars using a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for smooth filling. Avoid overmixing to prevent cracks. Press crust firmly for better crispness. Chill bars thoroughly before slicing for clean cuts. For gluten-free option, substitute graham crackers with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs. For dairy-free/vegan, use vegan cream cheese, vegan butter, and flax eggs.

Nutrition

Keywords: churro cheesecake bars, Cinco de Mayo dessert, cinnamon sugar crust, creamy cheesecake, easy dessert bars, festive dessert

Find it online: https://milaspoon.com/irresistible-churro-cheesecake-bars-recipe-easy-cinco-de-mayo-dessert/