Creamy strawberry cheesecake bars start with the most delicious flaky crust topped with a sweet but tangy cream cheese layer all topped with gorgeous juicy strawberries! Life will never be the same!
I’m closing down the blog and walking away. I’m living my life out as a middle-aged Momma who wants nothing more than to LIVE and PLAY and EAT. These bars are one of the best recipes we will ever share on Oh Sweet Basil.
I mean, I’m not really shutting down the blog. I couldn’t ever be as fulfilled without a creative outlet, but these strawberry bars are one of the best desserts I’ve ever brought to the site. If it’s the only spring dessert recipe you make, you will be forever happy. Once again, we have Megan to thank, so let’s all give her a little praise for continuously sending amazing recipes to us! If you haven’t tried the mixed berries version of this recipe, do that asap!
The crust is a flaky, perfectly made crust but the best part is, in my opinion, making the dessert a day ahead so that it softens a stitch. Oh my goodness, my mouth just started salivating! WHAT IS MY DEAL?! I’m obsessed!
The filling is the most delicate cream cheese, almost cheesecake filling, while the topping is a burst of vibrant strawberries, reminiscent of a strawberry pie! It’s honestly like a creamy strawberry shortcake, which happens to be my most favorite dessert ever.
Ingredients for Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
I’m going to divide up the list of ingredients by layer so it’s easy to see what is needed for each step. Here is what you will need…
Crust Layer
- Flour: regular all purpose flour
- Salt: enhances all the flavors
- Sugar: adds a little sweetness to the crust
- Vegetable Oil: the fat needed to create the flaky but strong base for the bars
- Milk: helps bind all the ingredients together
Cheesecake Layer
- Cream Cheese: you can use full fat or 1/3 fat but I do feel like the full fat sets up better, make sure it is room temperature so the cream layer isn’t lumpy
- Powdered Sugar: adds sweetness to the filling
- Heavy Cream: helps thin out the filling a little
- Vanilla: adds flavor
Strawberry Layer
- Strawberries: fresh bright red ripe berries
- Sugar: adds sweetness to the topping
- Ultra Gel: my preferred way for thickening the strawberry topping, see recipe card for using cornstarch the thicken
- Lemon Zest and Juice: balances the sweetness of the berries
- Water: thins everything out to create