No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars Recipe
These No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars offer a creamy, refreshing dessert with a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth cheesecake filling, and a sweet homemade strawberry topping. Perfect for warm days when turning on the oven is not an option, this easy recipe requires minimal ingredients and time, delivering a luscious treat that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 graham crackers)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the cheesecake filling:
- 2 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream
For the strawberry topping:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand, then press it firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch square baking dish or a 9-inch round pan. Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling to allow it to set and hold together.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: Beat the softened cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form, then gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth. Spread the filling evenly over the chilled crust and smooth the surface with a spatula.
- Make the Strawberry Topping: Combine chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries release their juices and the mixture thickens into a syrupy consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. For a smoother topping, mash lightly or blend briefly.
- Assemble the Bars: Once the strawberry topping has cooled, spoon it evenly over the cheesecake layer. Refrigerate the assembled bars for at least 4 hours or overnight, allowing the layers to set completely.
- Serve: Cut into squares or bars and serve chilled. Enjoy the creamy, fruity, and decadent flavor of these no-bake strawberry cheesecake bars.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Do not overwhip the heavy cream to prevent it from turning into butter.
- Chilling time is essential for the bars to set properly; overnight refrigeration is best.
- You can substitute fresh strawberries with frozen, but thaw and drain them before cooking the topping.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: no-bake cheesecake bars, strawberry cheesecake bars, easy dessert, no-bake dessert, summer dessert, creamy cheesecake, strawberry topping
