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    Home » Recipes » Brownies and Bars

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars

    October 4, 2018 by Kelly 22 Comments

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar!

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipes this recipe!
    Cheesecake bars are one of my family's favorite treats. And this one goes fast!

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipesI've used the same cheesecake filling as in my Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars. It's so creamy, rich, and smooth.  And it's the perfect ratio of cheesecake filling to crust.

    I've used a shortbread cookie crust as the base because it's my all-time favorite crust for cheesecakes. It's buttery, delicious, and stays nice and crunchy. There's nothing worse on a cheesecake than a soggy crust.

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipesAnd to top everything off - a swirl of caramel. It's delicious and pretty. I love the dense, fudgy caramel crevices it makes. You can make your own quick and easy Caramel Sauce or use a jarred one. I highly recommend a homemade one, the flavor can't be matched, and it's all natural. It's so easy, and it only takes a few minutes. It doesn't even need a thermometer. I like to make the caramel a little more amber for these Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars because the flavor will really stand out.
    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipes

    To make the crust for these Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars, shortbread cookie crumbs are mixed with melted butter, pressed into the bottom of a baking pan, and baked until golden. Lining the pan with aluminum foil allows you to easily lift the bars out of the pan for slicing. A removable bottom baking pan (kind of like a springform pan) works great here.

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipesMix the caramel sauce with a tablespoon of the cheesecake batter to lighten it up a bit. If it's not lightened up, it makes deep cracks and craters as it sinks down.

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipesAfter the crust has cooled a few minutes, the cheesecake filling is poured on top. The caramel is spooned on and swirled with a knife. When you spoon on the caramel, put it in bigger globs like you see below, leaving plenty of white space. (You'll see why in a minute.)

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipesTake a knife or a skewer and make swirls in the caramel, but not too many. I just go through the caramel 5 or 6 times.

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipes

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipesHere's what you DON'T want to do:
    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipesSwirling the caramel too much might look pretty before it's baked, but not so much afterwards. It took me a couple of tries to get the caramel on just right. It tastes good either way so no worries.

    The Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars are baked for about 30 minutes. The center should be a little jiggly. Let it cool to room temperature then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before slicing.
    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipesEnjoy, friends!
    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipesDon't forget to pin for later.

    Please leave a comment, I love to hear from you! It really makes my day!

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    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars


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    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the crust:

    • 1½ cups shortbread cookie crumbs, finely ground (6.75oz, 191g)
    • 3 tablespoons butter, melted (1.5oz, 43)

    For the filling:

    • 16oz cream cheese, softened (454g)
    • ⅓ cup sugar (2.3oz, 65g)
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup caramel sauce, homemade or jarred

    Instructions

    For the crust:

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    2. Prepare an 8 inch baking pan with a removable bottom by lining the bottom with baking parchment and spraying with nonstick cooking spray.
    3. Alternatively, line an 8 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, letting the sides overhang, and spray with baking spray.
    4. Mix the cookie crumbs and the melted butter until well combined and moistened.
    5. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the baking pan. Using a flat bottomed measuring cup, press the crust firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan,
    6. Bake until golden brown around the edges and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.

    For the cheesecake:

    1. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down bowl.
    2. Add sugar and beat another 2 minutes, scraping down bowl halfway through.
    3. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed for 20 seconds after each egg. Scrape down bowl.
    4. Add vanilla and salt and mix until thoroughly combined.
    5. Remove 1 tablespoon of batter and stir into caramel sauce.
    6. Pour remaining batter into pan.
    7. Use a spoon to drop globs of caramel sauce on the cheesecake, as shown above.
    8. Use a knife and make 5-6 swirls through the caramel sauce, being careful not to hit the crust.
    9. Bake until only slightly wobbly in the center, about 30-35 minutes.
    10. Let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 4 hours before slicing.

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    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipes

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    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipes

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipes

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipes

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipes

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipes

    Swirled Caramel Cheesecake Bars - rich, creamy, and velvety smooth cheesecake on top of a sweet, crunchy, shortbread crust, with swirls of rich caramel. All the deliciousness of cheesecake in a quick and easy bar! #cheesecake #cheesecakerecipe #cheesecakebars #bars #caramel #dessert #quick #easy #cheesecakerecipes

     

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    1. Umar

      October 04, 2018 at 10:17 pm

      Looks absolutely delicious...you can't go wrong with shortbread cookie crust!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        October 04, 2018 at 10:18 pm

        Thanks so much, Umar! I agree! 🙂

        Reply
    2. angiesrecipes

      October 05, 2018 at 12:30 am

      That looks simply amazing! I love that caramel swirls...utterly delicious!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        October 05, 2018 at 10:17 am

        Thanks so much, Angie! They disappear so fast - the kids love them!

        Reply
    3. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

      October 06, 2018 at 9:00 am

      I think those swirls are just perfect, before baking AND after! And I definitely wouldn't turn them down. Cheesecake and caramel is a heavenly combo 🙂 Big ol' YUM!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        October 07, 2018 at 7:27 pm

        Thanks so much, Dawn! It took a little practice to get them just right!

        Reply
    4. Thomas

      October 07, 2018 at 6:29 pm

      They look so cute and yummy
      I love when desserts have caramel

      Good job!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        October 07, 2018 at 7:28 pm

        Thanks so much, Thomas! Caramel gets me every time!

        Reply
    5. annie@ciaochowbambina

      October 08, 2018 at 12:45 pm

      This is sure to become one of my family's favorites too! Just wonderful! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        October 08, 2018 at 1:33 pm

        Thanks so much, Annie!

        Reply
    6. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking

      October 10, 2018 at 2:36 pm

      I also love a shortbread cookie crust for cheesecakes! And the caramel swirled into the top of this cheesecake looks so inviting!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        October 10, 2018 at 3:14 pm

        Thanks so much, Leanne! They disappeared fast!

        Reply
    7. John / Kitchen Riffs

      October 11, 2018 at 11:10 am

      I can never resist cheesecake! LOVE the stuff. And with caramel? Swoon! These bars look terrific -- thanks.

      Reply
      • Kelly

        October 11, 2018 at 11:43 am

        Thanks so much, John! Cheesecake is one of our family favorites!

        Reply
    8. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

      October 11, 2018 at 2:25 pm

      These look SO GOOD! I'm a cheesecake fanatic. (and a caramel fanatic) so I wouldn't trust myself around a batch of these beauties 🙂

      Reply
      • Kelly

        October 11, 2018 at 4:14 pm

        Thanks so much, Kelsie! They disappeared so fast, I don't even know who ate them. And I made three batches to get the caramel swirl just right!

        Reply
    9. David @ Spiced

      October 12, 2018 at 10:08 am

      I'm a huge fan of cheesecake no matter the shape! And I'm also a huge fan of caramel. I'm thinking a glass of bourbon, a fire in the fireplace and one of these cheesecake bars would be the beginning of a great weekend evening! 🙂

      Reply
      • Kelly

        October 12, 2018 at 12:44 pm

        Thanks so much, David! We can't ever get enough cheesecake around here! Have a great weekend!

        Reply
    10. Lynne

      July 16, 2021 at 8:27 pm

      Can you use a 9” square pan
      instead of an 8”? These look yummy!!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        July 16, 2021 at 9:08 pm

        Hi Lynne, Yes a 9-inch pan will work just fine. They will be a little thinner and make take just a little less time to bake. Thanks so much!

        Reply
    11. Peggy

      December 16, 2021 at 1:01 am

      Can I double the recipe and use a 13X9 pan? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        December 19, 2021 at 3:23 pm

        Hi Peggy! That would work out just fine!

        Reply

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    Kelly Shaban

    Hi there! So nice to meet you! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I’m so glad you're here! I’m Kelly, a homeschooling mother of five (and a CPA in a previous life). When I’m not teaching differential equations or Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, you’ll find me in the kitchen, whipping up something good to eat for my hungry crew. Read More About Me

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