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Flavorful Firecracker Cheesecake Bars

Flavorful Firecracker Cheesecake Bars - featured image
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Bold, colorful cheesecake bars with a graham cracker crust and a subtle spicy kick from cayenne pepper, perfect for festive occasions and quick indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full sheets)
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 16 ounces (450g) cream cheese, softened (full-fat)
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ cup raspberry or strawberry preserves
  • Red and blue gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Stir until evenly moistened.
  3. Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes until set and lightly golden. Let cool slightly.
  4. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth (2-3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix just until combined.
  5. Pour cheesecake batter over cooled crust and spread evenly. Dollop preserves on top, tinting some with red and blue food coloring if desired. Use a toothpick to swirl preserves gently through the batter.
  6. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 35-40 minutes until edges are set but center jiggles slightly. Turn off oven, crack door open, and cool bars inside for 30 minutes.
  7. Transfer bars to refrigerator and chill at least 4 hours or overnight. Use parchment overhang to lift bars from pan and cut into squares.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs to avoid lumps. Warm preserves slightly if too thick for swirling. Avoid overmixing to prevent cracks. Cool bars in oven with door ajar to keep smooth top. Chilling overnight improves flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesecake bars, firecracker cheesecake, graham crust, spicy dessert, easy cheesecake, summer dessert, party dessert

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/flavorful-firecracker-cheesecake-bars-recipe-easy-5-step-guide/