Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars (2024)

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Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars is what happens when you combine two of my favorite desserts, pecan pie and cheesecake. These luscious three layer bars are truly amazing!

The Best Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

Do I have a treat for you today! Pecan pie cheesecake bars, my friends. The best ever dessert, if you ask me, seeing that I love pecan pie and cheesecake is my all time favorite dessert. I mean just look at the photos of these bars, that perfect layer separation just begging for you to come over and take a nibble.

What can I say, I outdid myself this time, perfect little bites, maybe not so little, but delicious morsels perfect for any special occasion when you need that perfect dessert. They travel well too, so feel free to give them as gifts or maybe even snack on them in the car to go. Come on, we’ve all been there.

We’re talking 3 layers of perfection. Each layer delicious on its own, but when combined together creates the most decadent dessert you can have. In the first layer we have a nice buttery graham cracker crust, then a creamy and smooth layer of cheesecake followed by an incredible layer of pecan pie filling. Together, it’s simply heavenly.

Crust

• Graham crackers –These will be the binding ingredient in our crust and offer a great molasses flavor.
• Butter –Unsalted as always to control the sodium content of our dessert.
• Sugar –We want a nice clean flavor for our crust, white granulated sugar is your best bet.

Cheesecake

• Cream cheese –I used 2 packages of whole fat Philadelphia cream cheese. Reduced fat can also be used to cut calories.
• Sugar –Again granulated sugar is best for this cheesecake recipe.
• Eggs –Our key binding agent for this cake, eggs will allow it to bake properly.
• Vanilla extract –Without this, your dessert may taste a little flat.
• Salt –To season our cake, an important component.

Pecan Pie Layer

• Sugar –We want light brown sugar for this component of our dessert to give a bit of dimension and complexity.
• Corn syrup –Use light or dark corn syrup to form a cohesive layer that sticks together and is sinfully sweet.
• Cream –I used heavy cream to make this layer completely drool worthy and rich.
• Butter –Unsalted to control the sodium content.
• Vanilla extract –Without this your dessert may taste a little flat.
• Salt –To season our cake, an important component.
• Pecans –The star ingredient! Chopped up to be combined in this perfect little layer.

There are 3 easy steps to baking these bars, but have no fear because each step is fairly easy to do. Just follow my detailed instructions and you can’t go wrong.

Prep

You’ll first need to preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper, spray it first with some cooking spray so that the parchment paper will stick to it. You need to do this so that you can easily pull the cheesecake out of the baking pan.

Make The Crust

In a food processor, you’ll need to pulse the graham crackers with the sugar until fine crumbs form. You can also use graham cracker crumbs, as I did here, but if you don’t have them, no worries. Add in melted butter and pulse until well combined. Press this mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. You can use your fingers, but I find it easier to just use the back of a spoon or measuring cup to make sure it’s pressed evenly. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Make The Cheesecake Layer

While the crust is baking, you can start on the cream cheese layer. Add the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and salt to the bowl of your mixer. Mix on medium using the whisk attachment until smooth, should take about 5 minutes.

Pour this over graham crust and smooth it out as much as possible with a spatula. Transfer the baking pan to the oven and bake for 30 minutes to help the cheesecake set a bit.

Make The Pecan Pie Layer

While the cheesecake is baking, it’s time to make the pecan pie layer. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, butter, salt and vanilla extract to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue cooking for 1 more minute then remove from heat. Stir in the chopped pecans.

Once the cheesecake baked for 30 minutes, carefully pour the pecan pie layer over the cheesecake layer, and smooth it out with a spatula if necessary. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, the pecan layer should start to get golden. Cool completely then cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Cut And Serve

You’ve finally come to my favorite step of making these pecan pie cheesecake bars and that is cutting them up and serving them. Carefully lift the cheesecake from the pan by pulling up on the parchment paper flaps. However, make sure the sides are loose, especially around the corners. If you find some of the pecan pie layer stuck to the pan in the corners, simply take a knife and run it along to loosen up the cheesecake.

Transfer the cheesecake to a cutting board and cut it up. I cut mine 4×4 so that you end up with 16 pieces, and I find this is the perfect serving size, but feel free to cut them larger or smaller as you like.

What’s The Best Cream Cheese To Use For Cheesecake?

I prefer using Philadelphia cream cheese because it always makes a super silky cheesecake. However, if you can’t find the Philadelphia brand, use a cream cheese that is full fat for best results.

Can’t Find Any Corn Syrup?

The corn syrup can be replaced with 1/2 cup of sugar dissolved in 2 tbsp of water. It’ll be thick but hey, we’re trying to get syrup here!

Storing Cheesecake

These little bars will keep in the fridge for up to5 days. Just store in an airtight container or wrap them up tightly before popping them in.

Cooked cheesecake also freezes really well, just place the bars fully cooled and uncovered on a pan in the freezer and allow to freeze entirely. Remove them and wrap fully in plastic wrap and aluminum foil till ready to eat. This method should ensure the cheesecake bars lasts 3 months.

Other Delicious Recipes To Try

• Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars
• Pecan Pie Cheesecake
• Matcha Mini Cheesecakes with White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Mini Tiramisu Cheesecakes
• Hawaiian Cheesecake Bites
• Creme Brûlée Cheesecake Bars
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Pops
• Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake
• Congo Bars
• Cranberry Bars