Indulge in these delightful Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars that combine the rich creaminess of cheesecake with the satisfying crunch of a brûlée topping. Perfect for any occasion, they are sure to impress!
Tips for Success
Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth filling. Trust me, this part's so satisfying!
Favorite Parts
The moment you torch the sugar and see it caramelize is simply magical!
Ingredients
- For the crust:
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- For the filling:
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- For the brûlée topping:
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Instructions
- For the crust:
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Step 1- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square metal baking dish with foil, leaving an overhang.
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Step 2- Prepare the crust: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until moistened. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned and set, about 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool and reduce the oven temperature to 300°F.
- For the cheesecake:
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Step 3- Mix the filling: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese at medium-high speed until smooth. Add the sugar and continue beating until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
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Step 4- Combine ingredients: Add the cream then the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla paste, and salt one at a time and beat until well combined and smooth, being careful not to overmix. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
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Step 5- Bake the cheesecake: Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 300°F until the cheesecake is set but still slightly jiggly in the center, about 35 minutes. Do not overbake.
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Step 6- Cool the cheesecake: Place the cheesecake on a cooling rack to cool completely in the pan. Cover and chill until firm, at least 4 hours.
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Step 7- Prepare for serving: Using the foil overhang, transfer the cheesecake to a heat-safe work surface and cut into squares.
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Step 8- Brûlée the tops: Sprinkle the tops of each square with sugar and torch the tops with a kitchen torch until it turns a deep amber color. Alternatively, use a broiler to brown the sugar (just don't walk away - it goes from bruleed to black fast!). Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Calories: 320, Fat: 20g, Carbs: 30g, Protein: 5g
Cooking techniques
Using a kitchen torch or broiler to caramelize sugar is an essential technique for achieving that signature brûlée topping. Practice makes perfect!
Variations or substitutions
Feel free to swap out the graham crackers for digestive biscuits or add a hint of citrus zest to the filling for a refreshing twist!
Storage tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just keep that brûlée topping crispy by adding it just before serving!
Notes
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free graham crackers in the crust. Enjoy!
