Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars

Introduction: Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars offer a delightful twist on the classic French dessert, combining the creamy richness of cheesecake with the crisp caramelized sugar topping of crème brûlée. These bars are not only visually stunning but also a perfect dessert for any special occasion or gathering, delivering a sophisticated flavor that is surprisingly easy to achieve.

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 9 sheets graham crackers, finely crushed (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 24 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

For the Brûlée Topping:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Crust:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 or 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
   • In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until finely ground. Add melted butter and salt, and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then allow it to cool slightly.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add sugar and beat until combined.
   • Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Mix until smooth but avoid overmixing.
   • Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust and smooth the top. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 35-45 minutes, or until the center is just set and slightly jiggly.
3. Chill the Cheesecake:
   • Remove the cheesecake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow it to firm up.
4. Brûlée the Topping:
   • When ready to serve, remove the cheesecake from the pan using the parchment overhang. Cut into squares.
   • Sprinkle an even layer of granulated sugar over each bar. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it turns a deep amber color. If you don’t have a torch, you can use your oven’s broiler, but watch carefully to avoid burning.

Conclusion: Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars are a show-stopping dessert that combines the best of both worlds: the creamy smoothness of cheesecake and the irresistible crunch of caramelized sugar. Whether enjoyed on their own or topped with fresh berries and whipped cream, these bars are sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more. For best results, brûlée the sugar topping just before serving to maintain that perfect crunch.