Description
Creamy cheesecake bars with a buttery graham cracker crust and vibrant red, white, and blue layers. A festive and easy-to-serve dessert for patriotic holidays!
Ingredients
Scale
- Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Cheesecake Layers:
- 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Red and blue gel food coloring
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries (for red layer, optional)
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries (for blue layer, optional)
- Topping:
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
- Fresh strawberries and blueberries
- White chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make crust: Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press firmly into the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool.
- Prepare batter: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then sour cream and vanilla.
- Color layers: Divide batter into 3 bowls. Leave one plain (white), tint one red (add raspberries if using), and one blue (add blueberries if using).
- Layer & bake: Pour red batter over crust, then white, then blue. Swirl gently with a knife. Bake 35-40 minutes until set but slightly jiggly.
- Chill: Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).
- Serve: Cut into bars, top with whipped cream, berries, and white chocolate.
Notes
- For cleaner layers: Freeze each colored layer for 15 minutes before adding the next
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free graham crackers
- No-bake version: Use gelatin-set cheesecake mixture and chill only
- Store covered in fridge for up to 5 days
- For sharper colors, strain berry purees before mixing into batter
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 105mg