Can I make cheesecake bars ahead?

Sure! They keep nicely in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze cheesecake bars?

Yep, 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 thawing.

Can I omit the lemon juice and zest in the cheesecake?

The lemon flavor is subtle, but if you don’t want to include it, it's perfectly fine to omit it (it doesn’t have any impact on the texture of the cheesecake).

Cheesecake Bars - Once Upon a Chef

Cheesecake Bars

By Jenn Segal

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

Servings: 16 squares

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Total Time: 1 Hour 35 Minutes, plus at least 6 hours to chill in refrigerator

Ingredients

For the Crust

1¼ cups graham cracker crumbs, from 10 whole crackers
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt

For the Filling

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

Instructions

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 Information

Per serving (16 servings)
Serving size: 1 square
Calories: 248
Fat: 16 g
Saturated fat: 9 g
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Sugar: 20 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 3 g
Sodium: 166 mg
Cholesterol: 77 mg