Welcome to the delightful world of No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars! Perfect for warm days or whenever you crave something sweet, these bars are incredibly easy to make and utterly delicious.
Crust Perfection
This part’s so satisfying! The graham cracker crust provides a perfect base for the creamy cheesecake topping.
Cheesecake Bliss
With luscious cream cheese and fresh strawberries, every bite is a burst of flavor. Trust me, you’ll love it!
Ingredients
- For the crust:
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- For the cheesecake:
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Instructions
- For the crust:
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Step 1- Prepare the pan: Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.
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Step 2- Make the crust: Place the graham crackers in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until very finely ground. The more finely ground, the better the crust will stay together and not crumble. Add in the melted butter and pulse until moistened.
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Step 3- Press the crust: Very firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the pan using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup. Refrigerate.
- For the cheesecake:
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Step 4- Blend the filling: In the bowl of a blender, combine the sugar, freeze-dried strawberries, and salt. Blend until the strawberries are powdery with no visible chunks remaining. Add the cream cheese, lemon juice, and fresh strawberries. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides and bottom as needed. A blender tamper can help bring the mixture together quickly.
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Step 5- Whip the cream: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment to whip the cream until medium peaks form. Add the strawberry mixture to the whipped cream and gently fold until combined. Spread over prepared crust, smoothing the top.
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Step 6- Freeze the bars: Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight. Let sit in the fridge 30 minutes before serving. Run a large sharp knife under hot water, wiping it off in between slices. Cut into 9 bars.
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Step 7- Store: Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days or freezer for up to 2 weeks. If freezing, remove from freezer and refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 300, Fat: 20g, Carbs: 28g, Protein: 4g
Cooking techniques
Using a food processor to finely grind the graham crackers ensures a smooth crust. Blending the strawberry filling until completely smooth is key for a creamy texture.
Variations or substitutions
Feel free to substitute the freeze-dried strawberries with other freeze-dried fruits such as raspberries or blueberries for a different flavor. You can also use gluten-free graham crackers for a gluten-free version.
Storage tips
Keep these delicious bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to store them longer, they freeze beautifully for up to 2 weeks. Just remember to thaw them in the fridge before serving!
Notes
For a vegan option, substitute the cream cheese with a plant-based cream cheese alternative and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
