Description
A recipe for layered dessert bars featuring a cinnamon crust, a creamy cheesecake filling, and a cinnamon sugar topping, mimicking the flavor of churros.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar for topping
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and mix until combined into moist crumbs.
- Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the warm crust.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the cheesecake filling.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has only a slight jiggle.
- Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, before slicing.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares before serving.
Notes
- For the best texture, ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature before mixing.
- You can use a box of yellow cake mix instead of the flour, sugar, and cinnamon crust ingredients for a shortcut; use 1 3/4 cups of the dry mix with the melted butter.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 40 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg