Name: Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 110 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs.; ¾ cup granulated sugar.; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted.; 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature.; ¼ cup sugar.; 2 large eggs.; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.; 1/8 teaspoon salt.; 1 cup light brown sugar.; ½ cup light corn syrup.; ½ cup heavy cream.; ¼ cup unsalted butter.; ½ teaspoon salt.; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.; 2 cups pecans, chopped.

Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars are a great combo of two yummy desserts. If you like pecan pie and cheesecake, you'll love these bars. They have three layers - a graham cracker bottom, a creamy cheesecake middle, and a sweet, crunchy pecan top. It's pretty easy to make, even if you're not a pro baker. The best part? You get the rich taste of pecan pie with the smooth feel of cheesecake in every bite. These bars are perfect for parties or just as a treat for yourself.

Get ready to enjoy the best dessert combo with these yummy Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars! If you like creamy cheesecake and soft, melted pecan pie, you're gonna love this. These bars mix the best parts of both into one tasty, easy-to-make treat that's great for holidays, special times, or just when you want something sweet.

I've been making these Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars for ages, and they always impress. The mix of a buttery graham cracker bottom, smooth cheesecake middle, and caramelized pecan top is really good. Trust me, these bars will become your new favorite dessert!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

There's so many reasons to fall for these Soft and Melted Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars. Here's why this recipe is a winner:

No-bake choice: You can bake these bars for a firmer texture, but there's also a no-bake version that's great for hot summer days or when you don't wanna turn on the oven.
Make-ahead friendly: You can make these bars ahead of time, which is great for busy holiday seasons or when you're having people over.
Everyone likes it: The mix of cheesecake and pecan pie is liked by lots of people, so these bars are always a hit at potlucks and gatherings.
You can change it up: It's easy to change this recipe to fit what you like or any diet needs.
Just the right balance of flavors and textures: The smooth cheesecake, crunchy pecans, and soft, melted caramel taste so good together.

Stuff You'll Need

Let's look at what you need for these Homemade Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars. We'll go through each part of the recipe:

For the Graham Cracker Bottom:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs: You can buy ready-made crumbs or crush whole graham crackers yourself. The slightly sweet, nutty taste of graham crackers makes a great base for these bars.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: This holds the bottom together and makes it rich. Make sure it's all melted so it mixes easy.
1/4 cup sugar: This sweetens the bottom and helps it stick together.

For the Cheesecake Part:

24 oz cream cheese, softened: Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and taste. Let it get to room temperature so it's easy to mix.
1 cup sugar: This sweetens the cheesecake without making it too sweet.
3 big eggs: These hold the cheesecake together and give it structure.
1 tsp vanilla extract: A little vanilla makes the overall flavor of the cheesecake better.
1/4 cup sour cream: This adds a bit of tang and creaminess to the cheesecake part.

For the Pecan Pie Top:

1 cup light corn syrup: This makes the soft, melted texture that pecan pie is known for.
1/2 cup packed brown sugar: Brown sugar adds deep flavor and helps make the top caramelly.
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted: This adds richness and helps make a smooth texture.
3 big eggs: These help hold the top together and make it kinda custardy.
1 tsp vanilla extract: Vanilla makes the overall flavor of the top better.
1/4 tsp salt: A bit of salt balances out the sweetness.
2 cups pecan halves: Use good pecans for the best flavor and texture.

Step-by-Step How-To

Now, let's get into making these Easy Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars. I'll walk you through each step to make sure they turn out great every time.

Making the Graham Cracker Bottom:

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you're gonna bake them. If you're making No-Bake Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars, you can skip this step.
In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix well till the crumbs are all wet.
Press the mix firmly into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup to make sure it's packed tight.
If you're baking, put the bottom in the heated oven for about 10 minutes till it's light golden. For the no-bake version, put the bottom in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set.

Making the Cheesecake Part:

In a big mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese till it's smooth and creamy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
Slowly add the sugar, beating till it's well mixed and the mixture is smooth.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream till just combined. Don't mix too much at this point to avoid getting too much air in the batter.
Pour the cheesecake mix over the prepared bottom, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Making the Pecan Pie Top:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, and melted butter till smooth.
Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk till well combined.
Stir in the pecan halves, making sure they're evenly covered with the syrup mix.
Carefully spoon the pecan mix over the cheesecake part, spreading the pecans out evenly.

Baking and Cooling:

For the baked version, put the pan in the heated oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes, or till the edges are set and the middle is slightly jiggly.
If you're making No-Bake Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars, put the pan in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight to let the cheesecake set.
Once baked, take the pan out of the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature. This can take a couple hours.
After cooling, put the bars in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best texture and flavor.

Tips for Great Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

Want to make sure your Rich Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars turn out great every time? Here are some good tips:

Room temperature stuff: Make sure your cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature before mixing. This helps make a smooth cheesecake batter with no lumps.
Don't mix too much: Once you add the eggs to the cheesecake batter, mix just till combined. Mixing too much can make cracks in the cheesecake.
Cool slowly: After baking, let the bars cool in the oven with the door open a bit for about an hour. This slow cooling helps stop cracks.
Clean cuts: For neat slices, wipe your knife clean between each cut. You can also dip the knife in hot water and dry it before each slice for extra clean cuts.
Storing: You can keep these bars in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.

Different Ways to Make It

While these Soft and Melted Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars are tasty as is, you can easily change them to fit what you like or the occasion. Here are some ideas to try:

No-Bake Pumpkin Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars:

Add 1 cup of pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the cheesecake part for a fall-inspired twist. This version is perfect for Thanksgiving!

Chocolate Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars:

Add 1/2 cup of melted semi-sweet chocolate to the cheesecake part and sprinkle chocolate chips over the pecan top before baking.

Bourbon Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars:

Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon to the pecan pie top for a grown-up version of these bars.

Gluten-Free Option:

Use gluten-free graham crackers or cookies for the bottom to make these bars okay for people who can't eat gluten.

Ways to Serve It

These Holiday Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars are tasty on their own, but here are some serving ideas to make them even better:

Whipped cream: A spoonful of fresh whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast to the rich bars.
Vanilla ice cream: Serve the bars a little warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a really good dessert.
Caramel sauce: Drizzle some warm caramel sauce over the bars for extra yumminess.
Coffee or tea: These bars go great with a cup of coffee or tea, making them perfect for an afternoon snack.

The Best Dessert for Any Time

Whether you're looking for an impressive dessert for your holiday table or a sweet treat to satisfy your cravings, these Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars are the answer. With their yummy mix of smooth cheesecake and soft, melted pecan pie top, they're sure to become a favorite recipe you'll make again and again.

The great thing about this recipe is how flexible it is. You can make them ahead of time for easy entertaining, change them to fit different tastes, and even make them as no-bake bars when you don't want to use the oven. Plus, they're easier to serve and eat than a regular pie or cheesecake, making them perfect for potlucks and parties.

So, why not give these Quick Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars a try? I promise you'll love them. Happy baking!