Crème Brûlée Cheesecake

The Ultimate Guide to Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars

Crème Brûlée and cheesecake are both classic, indulgent desserts on their own. When combined into Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars, they create an elegant, yet approachable treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With a crunchy graham cracker crust, a rich vanilla bean cheesecake filling, and a caramelized sugar topping, these bars offer a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Let’s dive into the details of how to make these decadent bars, along with tips and variations to ensure they turn out perfectly every time.

Why You’ll Love Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars

These cheesecake bars are a perfect fusion of two beloved desserts, offering the best of both worlds. Here’s why you’ll love making and eating them:

Rich and Creamy Filling: The vanilla bean cheesecake filling is smooth, creamy, and full of flavor, making each bite melt in your mouth.
Crunchy Brûlée Topping: The caramelized sugar topping adds a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy cheesecake.
Easy to Serve: Unlike traditional Crème Brûlée, which requires individual ramekins, these bars are easy to slice and serve, making them perfect for parties and gatherings.
Simple Yet Elegant: While these bars look and taste impressive, they’re straightforward to make with just a few steps.

Ingredients Breakdown

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars:

For the Crust:

Graham Crackers (9 whole / 135g): The base of the crust, providing a sweet and slightly crunchy foundation.
Unsalted Butter (5 tablespoons / 72g, melted): Binds the graham cracker crumbs together and adds richness.

For the Cheesecake Filling:

Cream Cheese (16 ounces / 454g, softened): The main ingredient in the cheesecake, providing a rich and creamy texture.
Granulated Sugar (1 cup / 200g): Sweetens the filling and helps achieve a smooth consistency.
Heavy Cream (¼ cup): Adds richness and helps create a silky texture.
Large Eggs (2) and Egg Yolk (1), at room temperature: Provide structure and creaminess to the filling.
Vanilla Bean Paste (2 teaspoons): Infuses the filling with a deep, aromatic vanilla flavor. If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, you can substitute it with 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Fine Sea Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.

For the Brûlée Topping:

Granulated Sugar (¼ cup / 50g): The key to creating that iconic crunchy, caramelized topping.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making these Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars involves three main steps: preparing the crust, making the cheesecake filling, and brûléeing the sugar topping. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prepare the Crust:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square metal baking dish with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides for easy removal.
In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse until the crumbs are moistened.
Press the graham cracker mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned and set. Let the crust cool while you prepare the filling. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (150°C).

2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
Add the granulated sugar and continue beating until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the heavy cream, then the eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Finally, mix in the vanilla bean paste and salt until the filling is smooth and well combined.
Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust and smooth the top with a spatula.

3. Bake the Cheesecake:

Bake the cheesecake at 300°F (150°C) for about 35 minutes, or until the center is set but still slightly jiggly. Do not overbake, as the cheesecake will continue to set as it cools.
Place the cheesecake on a cooling rack and let it cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until firm.

4. Brûlée the Topping:

Once the cheesecake is fully chilled, use the foil overhang to lift it out of the pan and onto a heat-safe work surface. Cut the cheesecake into squares.
Sprinkle an even layer of granulated sugar over the top of each cheesecake square.
Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar by moving the torch back and forth over the surface until it turns a deep amber color. Alternatively, you can use the broiler, but be sure to watch closely as the sugar can burn quickly.
Let the brûléed sugar cool and harden before serving.

Tips for Success

Here are some tips to ensure your Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars turn out perfectly:

1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients:

Make sure the cream cheese, eggs, and heavy cream are at room temperature before you begin. This ensures that the filling mixes smoothly and helps prevent cracks.

2. Don’t Overmix the Filling:

Beat the cream cheese until smooth, but be careful not to overmix once the eggs are added. Overmixing can incorporate too much air, leading to cracks in the cheesecake.

3. Chill Thoroughly:

Allow the cheesecake to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. This helps the flavors meld and the texture to set properly.

4. Torch the Topping Just Before Serving:

For the best texture, brûlée the sugar topping just before serving. This ensures that the topping remains crunchy and doesn’t soften in the refrigerator.

5. Use a Foil Sling:

Lining the baking dish with foil and leaving an overhang makes it easy to lift the cheesecake out of the pan, ensuring clean edges and easy slicing.

Customization and Variations

These cheesecake bars are delicious as is, but you can customize them to suit your taste:

1. Add Citrus Zest:

For a bright, citrusy flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the cheesecake filling.

2. Use Different Crusts:

Substitute the graham cracker crust with a different type of cookie, such as crushed vanilla wafers or chocolate cookies, for a unique twist.

3. Top with Fresh Berries:

Garnish the brûléed cheesecake bars with fresh berries, such as raspberries or strawberries, for a pop of color and flavor.

4. Add a Chocolate Drizzle:

Melt some dark or white chocolate and drizzle it over the brûléed bars for an extra layer of decadence.

5. Make it Gluten-Free:

Use gluten-free graham crackers to create a gluten-free version of these cheesecake bars.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick breakdown of the nutritional information for one bar (based on the recipe making 9 bars):

Calories: 292 kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 20g (Saturated Fat: 12g)
Cholesterol: 110mg
Sodium: 295mg
Sugar: 18g
Vitamin A: 750 IU
Calcium: 50mg
Iron: 1mg

These cheesecake bars are a rich, indulgent treat that’s perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress your guests.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you might encounter when making these cheesecake bars and how to fix them:

1. Crust is Too Crumbly:

If the crust isn’t holding together, it may need more butter. Add an extra tablespoon of melted butter to the graham cracker crumbs and press firmly into the pan.

2. Cheesecake Cracked:

Cracks can occur if the cheesecake is overbaked or if the filling was overmixed. To prevent this, bake until the center is just set and avoid overmixing the batter.

3. Sugar Topping Didn’t Harden:

If the sugar topping remains soft, it may not have been caramelized enough. Use the torch to achieve a deep amber color, which will harden as it cools.

4. Bars are Too Soft:

Ensure the cheesecake is fully chilled before cutting. If the bars are too soft, they may need more time in the refrigerator to firm up.

Conclusion

Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars are a decadent dessert that combines the best of two classic treats. With their creamy vanilla bean filling, crunchy graham cracker crust, and caramelized sugar topping, these bars are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because, this recipe is easy to follow and yields impressive results. So grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy these luxurious Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars!