Luscious Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars: A Decadent Dessert Delight
Butterscotch cheesecake bars offer a delightful twist on the classic cheesecake, combining the creamy richness of cheesecake with the warm, caramel-like flavor of butterscotch. These bars are perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime you crave a sweet and satisfying treat. This recipe provides detailed instructions for creating perfectly layered butterscotch cheesecake bars with a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy cheesecake filling infused with butterscotch flavor, and a luscious butterscotch topping. Get ready to embark on a baking adventure that will tantalize your taste buds!
Why You’ll Love These Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars
* **Decadent Flavor:** The combination of creamy cheesecake and rich butterscotch is simply irresistible.
* **Perfect Texture:** A buttery graham cracker crust, a smooth and creamy cheesecake filling, and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth butterscotch topping create a symphony of textures.
* **Easy to Make:** While they look impressive, these bars are surprisingly simple to make, even for beginner bakers.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making them perfect for entertaining.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding nuts, chocolate chips, or other toppings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need for each component of these butterscotch cheesecake bars:
**For the Graham Cracker Crust:**
* 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12-14 full sheets)
* 5 tablespoons (70g) unsalted butter, melted
* ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, but recommended)
**For the Butterscotch Cheesecake Filling:**
* 24 ounces (680g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
* ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
* ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
* ½ cup (120ml) butterscotch flavored syrup or sauce (good quality is key!)
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* ⅛ teaspoon salt
**For the Butterscotch Topping:**
* ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter
* ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
* ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon corn syrup (optional, helps prevent crystallization)
* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
* Pinch of salt
Equipment You’ll Need
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Mixing bowls
* Electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Rubber spatula
* Parchment paper (optional, for easy removal)
* Saucepan (for the butterscotch topping)
Detailed Instructions: Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s break down the process into manageable steps:
**Step 1: Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust**
1. **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).**
2. **Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, granulated sugar, and cinnamon (if using) in a medium mixing bowl.** Mix until well combined. The mixture should resemble wet sand.
3. **Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan.** Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your fingers to firmly press the crust down to create a uniform layer.
4. **Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes**, or until lightly golden brown. This helps to set the crust and prevent it from becoming soggy.
5. **Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool completely.**
**Step 2: Make the Butterscotch Cheesecake Filling**
1. **In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.** Make sure there are no lumps.
2. **Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue beating until well combined.**
3. **Pour in the heavy cream and butterscotch syrup/sauce.** Mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
4. **Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.** Be careful not to overmix the batter at this stage, as it can incorporate too much air and cause the cheesecake to crack.
5. **Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.**
**Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Cheesecake Bars**
1. **Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the cooled graham cracker crust.**
2. **Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes**, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. The center should still have a slight wobble to it; it will continue to set as it cools.
3. **Turn off the oven and crack the oven door slightly.** Let the cheesecake bars cool in the oven for 1 hour. This helps prevent cracking by allowing the cheesecake to cool slowly.
4. **Remove the cheesecake bars from the oven and let them cool completely at room temperature.**
5. **Cover the bars and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.** This allows the cheesecake to fully set and develop its flavor.
**Step 4: Prepare the Butterscotch Topping**
1. **In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.**
2. **Stir in the brown sugar, heavy cream, corn syrup (if using), and salt.**
3. **Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.**
4. **Continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the topping has thickened slightly.** Be careful not to burn the butterscotch.
5. **Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.**
6. **Let the butterscotch topping cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes before pouring it over the chilled cheesecake bars.** This prevents the topping from melting the cheesecake.
**Step 5: Finish and Serve**
1. **Pour the slightly cooled butterscotch topping evenly over the chilled cheesecake bars.**
2. **Return the bars to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the topping to set.**
3. **Using a sharp knife, cut the cheesecake bars into squares or rectangles.**
4. **Serve chilled and enjoy!**
Tips for Perfect Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars
* **Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese:** This is crucial for a smooth and creamy cheesecake filling. If your cream cheese is cold, it will be difficult to beat out the lumps.
* **Don’t Overmix the Filling:** Overmixing can incorporate too much air into the filling, which can cause the cheesecake to crack during baking.
* **Bake in a Water Bath (Optional):** For an even creamier cheesecake with minimal cracking, consider baking the bars in a water bath. Wrap the bottom of the baking pan in aluminum foil and place it inside a larger baking pan. Fill the outer pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the inner pan. Bake as directed.
* **Cool Slowly:** Cooling the cheesecake slowly in the oven and then at room temperature helps prevent cracking.
* **Use High-Quality Butterscotch Syrup/Sauce:** The quality of the butterscotch syrup or sauce will significantly impact the flavor of the cheesecake. Choose a good quality brand for the best results. Alternatively, you can make your own homemade butterscotch sauce.
* **Adjust Sweetness to Taste:** If you prefer a less sweet cheesecake, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the filling.
* **Add Toppings:** Get creative with toppings! Sprinkle chopped nuts, chocolate chips, sea salt flakes, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce over the butterscotch topping.
* **Line the Pan with Parchment Paper:** This makes it much easier to remove the cheesecake bars from the pan after they have chilled. Leave an overhang of parchment paper on the sides of the pan for easy lifting.
Variations and Substitutions
* **Chocolate Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars:** Add chocolate chips to the cheesecake filling or drizzle melted chocolate over the butterscotch topping.
* **Nutty Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars:** Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the graham cracker crust or sprinkle them over the butterscotch topping.
* **Salted Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars:** Sprinkle sea salt flakes over the butterscotch topping for a sweet and salty flavor combination.
* **Gluten-Free Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars:** Use gluten-free graham crackers for the crust.
* **Dairy-Free Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars:** Use dairy-free cream cheese alternative and dairy-free butter for the topping. Look for a suitable dairy-free butterscotch sauce or make your own.
Storage Instructions
* **Refrigerator:** Store leftover butterscotch cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* **Freezer:** For longer storage, freeze the cheesecake bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Serving Suggestions
* Serve these butterscotch cheesecake bars as a dessert for parties, holidays, or special occasions.
* Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
* Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea.
* Garnish with fresh berries or a dusting of cocoa powder.
Butterscotch Sauce Recipe (Optional Homemade)
While you can use store-bought butterscotch syrup or sauce, making your own allows for a more personalized flavor. Here’s a simple recipe:
**Ingredients:**
* ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter
* ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
* ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon corn syrup (optional)
* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
* Pinch of salt
**Instructions:**
1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Stir in the brown sugar, heavy cream, corn syrup (if using), and salt.
3. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
4. Continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
5. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Let the sauce cool slightly before using.
This butterscotch sauce can be used in the cheesecake filling and as a topping.
Troubleshooting
* **Cracked Cheesecake:** Cracking is a common issue with cheesecakes. To minimize cracking, avoid overmixing the filling, bake in a water bath (optional), and cool the cheesecake slowly in the oven and at room temperature.
* **Soggy Crust:** Make sure to bake the crust for the recommended time to set it and prevent it from becoming soggy.
* **Lumpy Filling:** Use room temperature cream cheese and beat it until smooth before adding the other ingredients.
* **Butterscotch Topping Too Thin:** Simmer the butterscotch topping for a longer time to allow it to thicken.
* **Butterscotch Topping Too Thick:** Add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream to thin the butterscotch topping.
Enjoy Your Homemade Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars!
These butterscotch cheesecake bars are a truly indulgent treat that will impress your family and friends. With their creamy texture, rich butterscotch flavor, and buttery graham cracker crust, they’re sure to become a new favorite dessert. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of these irresistible bars! Happy baking!