Best 8 Family Cheesecake Squares Recipes

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**Introducing Cheesecake Squares: A Delightful Treat for Any Occasion**

Indulge in the delectable flavors of cheesecake squares, a heavenly dessert that combines a creamy and velvety cheesecake filling with a crisp and buttery graham cracker crust. These individual treats are perfect for any occasion, whether it's a family gathering, a special celebration, or simply a sweet craving. With their irresistible combination of textures and flavors, cheesecake squares are sure to become a favorite among both kids and adults. Discover the secrets behind creating this classic dessert with our collection of easy-to-follow recipes, offering a variety of flavors and techniques to suit every taste and preference. From the traditional New York-style cheesecake to unique variations like chocolate cheesecake, Oreo cheesecake, and even gluten-free and vegan options, our recipes provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure a perfect cheesecake square every time. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey to create these delightful cheesecake treats that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CHEESECAKE BARS



Cheesecake Bars image

Dense and creamy with a hint of lemon and a crisp graham cracker crust, these cheesecake bars are an easy alternative to NY cheesecake.

Provided by Jennifer Segal

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h35m

Yield 16 squares

Number Of Ingredients 13

1¼ cups graham cracker crumbs, from 10 whole crackers
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt
16 ounces (2 8-oz. packages) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1½ tablespoons all purpose flour
¼ cup sour cream
3 large eggs
2½ teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon packed freshly grated lemon zest, from 1 lemon
1 teaspoon lemon juice
⅛ teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line an 8-inch baking dish with heavy-duty aluminum foil (so that there is an overhang on at least 2 sides) and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and salt. Stir until well combined, using your fingertips if necessary to be sure no lumps of brown sugar remain. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, until set. Remove the crust from the oven and set aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
  • Make the batter: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with beaters or the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and flour together on medium speed until just smooth, about 1 minute. Add the sour cream, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt; beat on low speed until just combined, about 1 minute. Do not over-mix.
  • Pour the batter into the slightly cooled crust. Check to make sure your oven has cooled to 325°F, then bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the filling is set but still a little jiggly in the center. (An instant-read thermometer, inserted into the filling about 1" in from the edge, should read between 180°-190°F.) The cheesecake will continue to cook as it cools. Remove the bars from the oven, and cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Refrigerate until cold, at least 6 hours but preferably overnight.
  • Use the foil overhang to lift the cheesecake out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into squares, wiping the knife clean with a damp cloth between slices. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Note: The cheesecake bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cheesecake bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the cooled cheesecake (cut or uncut) on a plate and freeze, uncovered, until firm. Remove the cheesecake from the freezer, wrap it in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place in a freezer bag. Seal and return to freezer for up to 3 months. Remove the foil before defrosting.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 square, Calories 248, Fat 16 g, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sugar 20 g, Fiber 0 g, Sodium 166 mg, Cholesterol 77 mg

BAKED CHEESECAKE SQUARES



Baked Cheesecake Squares image

If you like cheesecake, you'll love these bars.

Provided by R. Rosen

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Bar Cookie Recipes     Cheesecake Bar Recipes

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

⅓ cup shortening
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup chopped walnuts
6 ½ tablespoons cream cheese
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
¼ cup white sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 8 inch square baking pan.
  • To make the crust: In a large bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Gradually blend in flour and walnuts. Mixture will be crumbly.
  • Set aside one cup of crust mixture. Press the rest of the mixture into the bottom of baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
  • To make filling: in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar. Add in egg, milk, lemon juice and vanilla until well blended.
  • Spread the filling over warm crust. Sprinkle top with remaining crust mixture. Bake for another 25 to 28 minutes. Let cool on wire racks before cutting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 389.9 calories, Carbohydrate 38.5 g, Cholesterol 48.7 mg, Fat 24.4 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 64.3 mg, Sugar 20.9 g

LEMON CHEESECAKE BARS



Lemon Cheesecake Bars image

These creamy lemon cheesecake bars have a smoother texture than the usual custard texture of a boxed lemon bar mix. I just about died when I had them the first time. A good friend made them for another friend's birthday. I immediately asked her for the recipe as my Christmas present. She courteously obliged. They are the best!

Provided by Susan Langlois

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Lemon Dessert Recipes

Time 3h35m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 ½ cups shortbread cookie crumbs
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup cold butter
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons lemon zest
½ teaspoon baking powder
4 teaspoons confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil.
  • Mix shortbread crumbs, flour, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Cut in butter using 2 knives or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press over the bottom of the prepared pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and white sugar using an electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs and flour. Mix well. Blend in lemon juice, lemon zest, and baking powder. Pour filling over the crust.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until center is set, 25 to 28 minutes. Let cool completely, at least 45 minutes. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 2 hours. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar right before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411.3 calories, Carbohydrate 52.6 g, Cholesterol 95.5 mg, Fat 20.9 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 11.1 g, Sodium 234.4 mg, Sugar 36.2 g

CHEESECAKE SQUARES



Cheesecake Squares image

I lived on a dairy farm when I was young and my mom always had a lot of sour cream to use. She never wasted any, and this cheesecake was one of my family's favorites. It's great topped with blackberry sauce.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h10m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup ricotta cheese
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups sour cream
Seasonal fresh fruit, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, ricotta and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the butter, cornstarch, flour and vanilla until smooth. Fold in sour cream. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 1 hour or until almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. , Chill several hours or overnight. Top each serving with fruit if desired.

Nutrition Facts :

LEMON CHEESECAKE SQUARES



Lemon Cheesecake Squares image

These cheesecake bars shine with fresh lemon flavor and have a stunning marbled surface. Feel free to shake up the flavors by using other fresh citrus juices and zests.

Provided by Dan Langan

Categories     dessert

Time 6h30m

Yield 24 squares

Number Of Ingredients 14

Nonstick baking spray
2 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs or graham cracker crumbs (from about 75 vanilla wafers or 16 graham crackers)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Pinch fine salt
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
Three 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon fine salt
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs, beaten, at room temperature
1/3 cup store-bought lemon curd

Steps:

  • For the crust: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch cake pan with the baking spray and line with parchment paper, allowing at least 2 inches of overhang on the two long sides. Lightly coat the parchment with the baking spray.
  • Combine the cookie crumbs, sugar, lemon zest and salt in a food processor or gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Add the melted butter and pulse until evenly moistened. Press the mixture about 1 inch up the sides of the prepared cake pan, then press to cover the bottom evenly. Bake until the edges just become golden and the crust is fragrant, 8 to 9 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the filling.
  • For the filling: Beat the cream cheese in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed.
  • Use your fingers to rub together the sugar, lemon zest and salt in a small bowl until the mixture is fragrant. Gradually add the sugar mixture to the cream cheese on low speed, then raise the speed to medium and beat until smooth, about 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl, then beat for another few seconds to combine.
  • Mix in the lemon juice and vanilla on low speed until combined. Mix in half of the beaten eggs and until combined, about 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl and paddle well and then mix in the remaining half of the beaten eggs on low speed just until combined.
  • Pour the batter over the freshly baked warm crust and spread smooth. Place the lemon curd in a resealable plastic bag and snip a corner. Pipe lines of the lemon curd across the batter (alternately, spoon small dollops of curd across the batter.) Use a toothpick to swirl the curd and batter together slightly.
  • Place the baking pan in a slightly larger baking pan or roasting pan. Place in the center of the oven. Very carefully pour about 1 inch of steaming hot water into the larger pan to create a water bath. Gently slide the oven rack back in place and close the door. Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F and bake until the center barely jiggles, 42 to 45 minutes. The temperature at the center of the cheesecake should be about 150 degrees F.
  • Once baked, turn off the oven, prop open the door and allow the cheesecake to cool down inside the oven for 45 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack to cool completely before refrigerating for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • To serve, use the parchment overhang to pull the cheesecake out of the pan. Peel down the sides of the parchment and cut into 24 bars. Serve immediately or store tightly covered for up to 3 days.

FAMILY CHEESECAKE SQUARES



Family Cheesecake Squares image

What can I say? Anything with cream cheese in it is going to be so good and this is no exception. It is a little time-consuming but worth the time it takes to make it. You won't be disappointed in the results! (Prep time is estimated and cook time includes rising time). This recipe is from Taste of Home magazine.

Provided by Anita Harris

Categories     Cheesecake

Time 2h35m

Yield 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm milk (110-115 degrees)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup butter
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 egg, separated
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Dissolve yeast in warm milk; add sugar and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cut butter into flour and salt until crumbly.
  • Add yolks and yeast mixture; mix thoroughly.
  • Divide dough into two parts.
  • Roll each piece to fit a 13x9x2 baking pan.
  • Place one piece of dough into ungreased pan.
  • For Filling: Beat egg yolk, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
  • Spread over dough and cover with remaining dough.
  • Press lightly to seal edges around pan.
  • Lightly beat egg white; brush over dough.
  • Sprinkle with nuts.
  • Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 1-1/2 hours.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 mins or until lightly browned.
  • Cut into squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 245.4, Fat 17, SaturatedFat 9.5, Cholesterol 81.8, Sodium 164.7, Carbohydrate 20, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 9.1, Protein 3.9

FAVORITE CHEESECAKE SQUARES



Favorite Cheesecake Squares image

Make and share this Favorite Cheesecake Squares recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Dancer

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 45m

Yield 16 squares.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/3 cup margarine
1/3 cup sugar, brown packed
1 cup flour
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar, granulated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
3/4 cup smarties candies or 3/4 cup M&M's plain chocolate candy

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Beat margarine and brown sugar till light and fluffy.
  • Add flour and walnuts; mix well.
  • Reserve 1/2 cup crumb mixture; press remaining crumb mixture into bottom of 8" sqaure pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
  • Combine cream cheese (nuke for 15 seconds to soften), garnulated sugar and vanilla; mixing at medium speed and electric mixer till well blended.
  • Add egg; mix well.
  • Layer 1/2 cup Smarties or M&Ms over crust; top with cream cheese mixture.
  • Combine remaining candy, chopped and reserve crumb mixture; mix well.
  • Sprinkle crumb mixture over cream cheese mixture.
  • Bake at 350 degrees, 20 minutes.
  • Cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 216.1, Fat 13.5, SaturatedFat 5.1, Cholesterol 28.6, Sodium 100.6, Carbohydrate 21.4, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 14.1, Protein 3.1

PHILADELPHIA NEW YORK CHEESECAKE BARS



PHILADELPHIA New York Cheesecake Bars image

Enjoy the luscious, super-dense texture of these New York Cheesecake Bars. PHILADELPHIA New York Cheesecake Bars are rich and topped with cherries.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Dairy

Time 5h25m

Yield 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

6 graham crackers, finely crushed (about 1 cup)
3 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
5 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
4 eggs
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 325°F.
  • Line 13x9-inch pan with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Mix graham crumbs, 3 Tbsp. sugar and butter; press onto bottom of pan. Bake 10 min.
  • Meanwhile, beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low after each just until blended; pour over crust.
  • Bake 40 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours. Use foil handles to lift cheesecake from pan before cutting to serve. Top with pie filling.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 450, Fat 31 g, SaturatedFat 18 g, TransFat 1.5 g, Cholesterol 140 mg, Sodium 350 mg, Carbohydrate 34 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 19 g, Protein 7 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality cream cheese. This is the main ingredient in cheesecake, so it's important to use a good one. Look for cream cheese that is smooth and has a rich, creamy flavor.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before you start baking. This will help it mix smoothly with the other ingredients and prevent lumps.
  • Don't overbeat the cream cheese. Overbeating can make the cheesecake tough. Beat it just until it is smooth and creamy.
  • Use fresh lemon juice. This will give the cheesecake a bright, tangy flavor. If you don't have fresh lemon juice, you can use bottled lemon juice, but be sure to dilute it with a little water.
  • Don't overbake the cheesecake. Overbaking can make the cheesecake dry and crumbly. Bake it just until the center is set and the top is lightly browned.
  • Let the cheesecake cool completely before serving. This will help it set properly and make it easier to slice.

Conclusion:

Cheesecake is a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It's creamy, tangy, and delicious. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make a delicious cheesecake at home. Just be sure to follow the tips above and you'll be sure to impress your friends and family with your baking skills.

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