Caramel Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Rich, creamy cheesecake bars baked on a buttery graham crust and swirled with luscious caramel for an indulgent, crowd-pleasing dessert.
- Author: Mariem
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins + chilling
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
- For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- For the Caramel Swirl:
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/4 tsp sea salt (optional)
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake the crust for 8 minutes, then cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined, then add vanilla and sour cream.
- Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust.
- Warm the caramel sauce slightly if thick, then drizzle over the batter and use a knife to gently swirl.
- Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Cool to room temperature, then chill for at least 3 hours before slicing.
Notes
- For deeper swirls, drizzle caramel in several layers.
- Use homemade or high-quality caramel for best flavor.
- Add a pinch of sea salt on top for salted caramel cheesecake bars.
- Doubles easily for a 9×13-inch pan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: caramel swirl cheesecake bars, cheesecake bars, caramel dessert, easy cheesecake