Description
Sinful pecan pie cheesecake bars blend Southern comfort with creamy indulgence, creating a dessert that whispers sweet temptation. Rich layers of graham cracker crust, velvety cheesecake, and caramelized pecans promise pure bliss when you crave a luxurious treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pecan Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Cheesecake Layer Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (450 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sour cream
Crust Ingredients:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F and position a parchment paper inside a 9×9-inch baking pan for easy removal.
- Create a crisp foundation by blending graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, then firmly compress the mixture across the pan’s base.
- Toast the crust for 8-10 minutes until golden, then allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- Whip cream cheese and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until velvety smooth, gradually incorporating eggs one at a time and infusing vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Gently cascade the creamy cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust, baking for 20-25 minutes until the center achieves a delicate, slightly jiggly consistency.
- Simultaneously craft the luxurious pecan topping by simmering brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan, stirring continuously until the mixture transforms into a thick, glossy caramel (approximately 3-4 minutes).
- Fold chopped pecans into the warm caramel sauce, ensuring each nut is generously coated.
- Drizzle the pecan caramel evenly across the baked cheesecake layer, creating a decadent top coating.
- Chill the dessert in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours to set and develop robust flavors before slicing into elegant bars.
Notes
- Chill the cream cheese at room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake layer that blends perfectly.
- Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between cuts to create clean, precise bar edges without crumbling.
- For a gluten-free version, swap graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to maintain the same delicious texture.
- Control the sweetness by reducing brown sugar in the pecan topping or using a sugar substitute for a lighter dessert option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg