Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars: A Decadent Dessert for Every Occasion
Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars combine two of the most beloved desserts—crème brûlée and cheesecake—into one irresistible treat. Rich, creamy, and decadently sweet, these bars are perfect for anyone who enjoys the velvety texture of cheesecake and the smoky, caramelized flavor of crème brûlée. With a buttery sugar cookie crust and a silky smooth filling topped with toffee bits, these bars are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate. Whether you’re preparing for a family gathering, a holiday party, or a casual evening with friends, these bars are sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: hours (including cooling and chilling)
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the crust, you will need:
- 1 (17.5 ounce) pouch sugar cookie mix
- 1 (3.5 ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the filling, you will need:
- 2 (8 ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 3 large egg yolks (discard whites or save for another use)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup toffee bits
The crust is made with sugar cookie mix, instant French vanilla pudding mix, butter, and brown sugar, creating a sweet, tender base that holds up well under the rich cheesecake filling. The filling itself consists of cream cheese, eggs, sour cream, and sugar, making it ultra-creamy and smooth with a subtle tanginess. The toffee bits added at the end bring a delightful crunch and a touch of caramel flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, line a 9×13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving some overhang on the sides. This makes it easier to lift the bars out of the pan once they’re chilled and ready to cut. Lightly coat the foil with cooking spray to prevent the bars from sticking.
Step 2: Make the Crust
In a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, instant French vanilla pudding mix, melted butter, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir the ingredients together until a thick dough forms. This dough will be slightly sticky but should come together easily.
Press the dough into the prepared pan, using your fingers or a spatula to spread it evenly across the bottom. Make sure the dough is distributed evenly so that the crust bakes uniformly. Once you’ve smoothed the dough into place, set the pan aside and move on to the filling.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
In the same large bowl (wipe it out with a paper towel if necessary), combine the softened cream cheese, egg, and egg yolks. Beat the ingredients together with a handheld electric mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The texture should be silky, without any lumps.
Add the sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. Beat again until fully combined and smooth. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
Step 4: Bake the Bars
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the prepared crust. Use a spatula to spread the filling evenly across the surface. Once the filling is spread out, place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The bars are done when the center is set and no longer wobbles when you gently shake the pan.
Start checking for doneness at 30 minutes, as baking times can vary depending on your oven. If the center is still too loose, continue baking, checking every 5 minutes, until it’s firm but slightly jiggly. The edges should look slightly golden, and the filling should no longer appear liquid.
Step 5: Add the Toffee Bits
Once the bars are finished baking, remove them from the oven. Immediately sprinkle the toffee bits evenly over the surface of the bars. This adds sweetness and a nice texture contrast. Let the bars cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes before transferring them to the refrigerator.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
Cover the pan with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate the bars for at least 3 hours, or until they’re fully chilled. This chilling period is important because it allows the flavors to meld together and the bars to firm up. The texture of the cheesecake filling will become smooth and dense, making it easy to cut into perfect squares.
Once chilled, remove the bars from the fridge and cut them into 24 squares or bars. These bars are best served cold, and you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- Gluten-Free: You can make the recipe gluten-free by using a gluten-free sugar cookie mix and ensuring that the pudding mix is also gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based cream cheese alternative, dairy-free butter, and coconut cream in place of sour cream.
- Nuts and Chocolate: If you prefer something with a bit of crunch, swap the toffee bits for crushed nuts like almonds or pecans. Alternatively, you could use chocolate chips for a different flavor.
- Caramelized Top: If you’re craving that signature crème brûlée effect, sprinkle a thin layer of sugar on top of the bars before serving and use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar, creating a crisp, golden top layer.