Snickerdoodle Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Ultimate Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars: A Decadent Fusion of Cookie and Creamy Cheesecake Perfection

Prepare to embark on a truly delightful culinary journey with these extraordinary Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars. This recipe masterfully marries the comforting chewiness of a classic snickerdoodle cookie with the luxurious richness of baked cheesecake, creating a dessert that is nothing short of irresistible. Each bar features a thick, soft, and beautifully spiced snickerdoodle cookie base, providing a sturdy yet tender foundation. Nestled above this lies a creamy, decadent cheesecake middle that’s so perfectly set, you won’t even need a water bath! The entire creation is then crowned with more delightful snickerdoodle crumbles and a generous dusting of aromatic cinnamon sugar, adding both texture and an extra burst of signature flavor. If you find yourself torn between the tangy sweetness of a classic snickerdoodle cookie and the velvety indulgence of cheesecake, look no further – this harmonious dessert is designed to satisfy both cravings. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for holidays, gatherings, or simply treating yourself to something truly special.

creamy snickerdoodle cheesecake middle

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Why You’ll Absolutely Adore This Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bar Recipe:

This isn’t just another dessert; it’s a culinary masterpiece that expertly combines the best of two beloved worlds. Here’s why these snickerdoodle cheesecake bars are guaranteed to become a cherished addition to your recipe repertoire:

  • Luxuriously Thick & Satisfying Layers: Prepare for a truly indulgent experience! Each bar boasts a substantial, soft, and delightfully chewy snickerdoodle cookie base. This isn’t a thin, flimsy crust; it’s a flavorful, sturdy layer that provides a wonderful textural contrast. Layered generously above is an equally thick and incredibly rich layer of creamy cheesecake, ensuring a decadent and satisfying bite every single time.
  • Explosive Snickerdoodle Flavor Throughout: All the signature, comforting flavors of a classic snickerdoodle cookie are here, perfectly integrated and amplified by the creamy tang of cheesecake. You’ll taste that distinctive zesty note from the cream of tartar, the warm, fragrant spice of cinnamon, and the perfect sweetness, all enveloped in a delightful, chewy texture that harmonizes beautifully with the smooth filling.
  • Cinnamon Sugar Perfection in Every Aspect: We take cinnamon sugar seriously in this recipe! It’s not merely a garnish; it’s thoughtfully woven into every component. From the cookie base, infused with warm spice, to the delightful topping, cinnamon sugar makes multiple appearances, creating layers of aromatic flavor and a pleasing textural crunch that elevates the entire dessert. This ensures a consistent and vibrant flavor profile from your very first bite to the last crumb.
  • Effortlessly Baked, Incredibly Creamy Cheesecake: Achieving a perfectly dense, thick, and undeniably creamy baked cheesecake has never been simpler. This recipe yields a flawlessly set cheesecake filling without the usual stress and complexities associated with a water bath. Say goodbye to dreaded cracked tops and uneven baking; our method ensures a smooth, luscious texture every single time, making professional-quality cheesecake accessible to even novice home bakers.
  • Remarkably Simple to Prepare: Despite their impressive appearance and intricate flavor profile, these bars are surprisingly straightforward to create. The instructions are clear, concise, and designed to make the baking process enjoyable and stress-free. You don’t need specialized equipment or advanced culinary techniques to produce this show-stopping dessert.
  • Versatile & Make-Ahead Friendly: Whether you’re planning a holiday feast, a casual family gathering, or simply craving a special treat, these bars are perfectly suited for any occasion. Their convenient bar format makes them easy to serve, share, and enjoy. Furthermore, they are an ideal make-ahead dessert; the flavors deepen and the texture improves significantly with a good chill, making them perfect to prepare a day or even two in advance.
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snickerdoodle cheesecake bars on parchment paper and tray

Understanding the Magic: What Exactly is a Snickerdoodle?

Before we fully immerse ourselves in the deliciousness of these cheesecake bars, let’s take a moment to appreciate the humble yet iconic snickerdoodle cookie – the very heart of this dessert. At its core, a snickerdoodle is a thick, wonderfully soft, and delightfully chewy sugar cookie that stands out due to its distinctive coating. Prior to baking, the cookie dough is rolled generously in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. As these cinnamon-sugar-coated dough balls bake, the sugar caramelizes, creating a beautiful, slightly crisp, and glistening exterior, which adds an irresistible texture and an extra layer of warm, spiced flavor.

However, what truly distinguishes a snickerdoodle from a standard sugar cookie, beyond its signature topping, is the inclusion of cream of tartar in the dough. This often-overlooked acidic salt is the secret behind the snickerdoodle’s characteristic tangy flavor profile. Cream of tartar reacts with the baking soda in the dough, contributing to the cookie’s unique puffy rise, its remarkably soft and tender interior, and preventing the sugar from crystallizing excessively. This chemical interaction ensures that signature “snick” and delightful chewiness that bakers and eaters alike adore. These cookies are traditionally formed into balls and baked, where they gracefully puff up and spread out, forming those charming crinkled tops that are instantly recognizable.

The unique combination of a snickerdoodle’s tangy undertones, its soft and chewy texture, and that sweet cinnamon-sugar crunch makes it an absolutely perfect companion for the rich, creamy, and subtly tangy texture of cheesecake. It provides a harmonious contrast that elevates the entire dessert, offering a familiar, comforting flavor alongside a luxurious new experience.

Achieving Cheesecake Perfection: Essential Tips for a Flawless Filling Every Time

Crafting a cheesecake that is consistently rich, incredibly creamy, and holds its shape beautifully is a skill that’s easier to master than you might think. Forget the intimidation; by following these essential practices, you’ll achieve a spectacular cheesecake filling every single time, all without the need for a tedious water bath.

Choose Quality, Full-Fat Ingredients

The cornerstone of any truly exceptional cheesecake lies squarely in the quality of its ingredients. Always opt for premium, full-fat, brick-style cream cheese. Steer clear of spreadable cream cheese found in tubs, as these varieties often contain additional water and stabilizers that will compromise the integrity and texture of your cheesecake. Equally important is to ensure your sour cream is full-fat. Using low-fat or fat-free alternatives for either of these key ingredients will inevitably result in a watery, bland, and poorly set cheesecake that lacks the desired richness and density. The fat content is absolutely crucial for achieving that signature dense, incredibly creamy texture and the rich, luxurious taste that defines a perfect cheesecake.

Mindful Mixing: The Art of Avoiding Overbeating

After you have expertly beaten the cream cheese and sugar together until they are perfectly smooth and lump-free, your subsequent goal is simply to incorporate the remaining ingredients. Overbeating the batter, particularly after the eggs have been added, is one of the most common and detrimental errors in cheesecake baking. Excessive beating introduces too much air into the mixture. This trapped air expands rapidly during baking, causing the cheesecake to puff up dramatically, often resulting in unsightly cracks on the surface, and an eventual, undesirable collapse as it cools. To prevent this, beat just enough to combine everything until smooth, and remember to frequently scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure a uniformly mixed batter without overworking it.

Perfectly Baked, Never Overbaked

Understanding precisely when your cheesecake is done baking is a critical skill. These snickerdoodle cheesecake bars should still exhibit a slight “jiggle” in the very center when you gently nudge or shake the pan, while the edges should appear visibly set and firm. Resist the strong urge to overbake! Cheesecakes continue to cook and firm up significantly as they cool down, so removing them from the oven when they still look a touch underdone in the middle is the secret to achieving that wonderfully creamy, non-dry, luscious texture. Overbaking, conversely, will lead to a dry, dense, rubbery, and often severely cracked cheesecake surface.

The Crucial Art of Chilling: Patience is Your Best Ingredient

This step is absolutely non-negotiable for a truly successful and professional-looking cheesecake. Chill your snickerdoodle cheesecake bars for a minimum of 7 hours, or, for optimal results, ideally overnight, in the refrigerator. This extended chilling period serves multiple vital purposes: it allows the cheesecake to fully set and firm up its creamy texture, preventing it from being too soft or crumbly when you attempt to slice it. Even more importantly, it provides the necessary time for all the complex and nuanced flavors to meld, deepen, and fully develop, resulting in a much more delicious, well-rounded, and satisfying dessert. A properly chilled cheesecake is not only superior in taste but also significantly easier to slice and serve cleanly.

Expert Tip for Impeccably Clean Cuts: To achieve beautifully precise, clean, and professional-looking slices, remove the fully chilled snickerdoodle cheesecake from the pan and place it in the freezer for approximately 1 hour just before cutting. This brief freeze will firm up the cheesecake enough to prevent sticking and crumbling. Use a long, very sharp chef’s knife, dipped in hot water and thoroughly wiped clean after each individual cut. This simple yet effective trick ensures every bar looks as stunning as it tastes.

Pile of snickerdoodle cheesecake bars

Delicious Variations to Customize Your Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

While the classic Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars are undoubtedly perfect on their own, they also provide a wonderful canvas for creative culinary experimentation. Feel empowered to explore these delightful variations to truly make this recipe your own signature dessert:

Indulgent Chocolate Snickerdoodle Cheesecake

For a rich, dark chocolate experience, consider transforming the creamy cheesecake middle. You can easily achieve this by substituting the all-purpose flour in the cheesecake filling with 3 tablespoons of high-quality, sifted unsweetened cocoa powder. This simple swap will infuse the luscious creamy layer with a deep, robust chocolate flavor that harmonizes exquisitely with the warm, cinnamon-spiced snickerdoodle base. To amplify the chocolate experience even further, you could also fold a handful of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips into the snickerdoodle cookie dough base before pressing it into the pan and baking.

Adapting for Different Pan Sizes and Servings

This recipe is perfectly scaled for an 8″x8″ square baking pan, designed to yield substantial, thick, and satisfying bars. If your goal is to cater to a larger gathering or simply desire more of this delightful dessert, you can effortlessly double the entire recipe. For a doubled batch, bake it in a 9″x13″ baking pan. Be sure to anticipate an adjustment in the baking time, likely increasing it by approximately 5-10 minutes, or until the cheesecake reaches that ideal stage of a gentle jiggle in the center with firmly set edges. Should you prefer a classic round cheesecake, use a 9-inch springform pan with the doubled recipe, again adjusting the baking time as necessary for the larger, thicker cake. Always ensure your pan is thoroughly greased and lined with parchment paper to facilitate easy removal.

Exploring Spice and Extract Combinations

Beyond the traditional cinnamon, dare to experiment with other warm, aromatic spices within your snickerdoodle cookie dough. A delicate pinch of nutmeg, a hint of fragrant cardamom, or even a touch of ground ginger can introduce a more complex and intriguing flavor profile. Similarly, in the cheesecake filling, you can explore various extracts: a dash of almond extract can impart a delightful nutty undertone, while a hint of lemon or orange extract can beautifully brighten the overall taste, adding a zesty counterpoint to the sweetness.

Elevated Topping Ideas

While the combination of cinnamon sugar and extra snickerdoodle crumbles is undeniably fantastic, don’t hesitate to elevate your bars with additional, luxurious toppings. A generous drizzle of warm, gooey salted caramel sauce, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or a vibrant scattering of fresh berries such as raspberries or blueberries can add not only visual appeal but also another delightful layer of flavor and texture. For a touch of simple elegance, a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving can transform these bars into a truly refined dessert.

Key Ingredients for Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Success: Understanding Their Roles

Every truly exceptional recipe relies heavily on the quality and proper understanding of its core ingredients. These Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars are no exception. Grasping the specific function each component plays will significantly enhance your baking experience and ensure the best possible results.

  • Cream Cheese: This is unequivocally the primary star of your cheesecake filling. It is absolutely imperative to use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese. The high fat content is paramount, as it contributes immensely to the cheesecake’s rich, luscious flavor and its crucial ability to set into that beautifully dense, incredibly creamy texture. Avoid any low-fat varieties or spreadable cream cheese in tubs, as these alternatives often contain excess water and stabilizers that will inevitably lead to a watery, bland, and poorly set filling. Always ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before beating for a perfectly smooth, lump-free batter.
  • Sour Cream: Another indispensable element for achieving a truly luxurious and well-balanced cheesecake. Similar to cream cheese, full-fat sour cream is a non-negotiable component. It plays a vital role in contributing to the cheesecake’s characteristic tangy flavor, imparting essential moisture, and enhancing that desired silky-smooth texture. Room temperature sour cream will blend seamlessly into your batter, preventing any undesirable curdling.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream (Heavy Cream): This ingredient is a secret weapon for achieving that intensely creamy and thick cheesecake consistency without the complexities of a water bath. For optimal results, select cream with a minimum of 32% milkfat. It significantly enriches the batter and aids substantially in its beautiful, firm set.
  • Cinnamon: This fragrant spice is the very soul of the snickerdoodle component! Using fresh, high-quality ground cinnamon is crucial for imparting that warm, aromatic, and comforting spice throughout both the cookie base and the delectable topping. Spices naturally lose their potency over time, so always check the freshness date of your cinnamon to ensure the most vibrant and impactful flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Flour serves as a critical binding agent and thickener in both the snickerdoodle cookie base and, in a smaller but equally important quantity, within the cheesecake filling. For the most precise and consistent baking results, especially when dealing with flour, weighing it with a kitchen scale is highly recommended. If you do not possess a scale, ensure you measure properly: gently stir the flour within its bag, then lightly spoon it into your measuring cup. Level off any excess with the flat edge of a knife, taking care not to pack the flour down into the cup.
  • Cream of Tartar (for the cookie dough): This acidic leavening agent is the specific ingredient that bestows snickerdoodles with their distinctive tangy flavor and significantly contributes to their signature soft, yet wonderfully chewy texture. It chemically reacts with baking soda to create that classic lift and helps to prevent the sugar from crystallizing, thereby ensuring a tender and moist cookie.
  • Unsalted Butter & Granulated Sugar (for the cookie base): These fundamental ingredients form the essential backbone of the snickerdoodle cookie dough. They contribute immensely to the cookie’s inherent richness, its delightful sweetness, and its crucial structure. Always ensure your unsalted butter is properly softened to room temperature; this is vital for effective creaming with the sugar, a process that incorporates air and leads to a tender, light, and fluffy cookie base.
  • Eggs & Egg Yolk (for both cookie base and cheesecake filling): Eggs function as essential emulsifiers and binders, imparting richness and contributing vital structure to both the cookie and cheesecake layers. For the snickerdoodle base, the addition of an extra egg yolk specifically enhances its characteristic chewiness. In the cheesecake, eggs are absolutely essential for setting the creamy filling. For optimal blending and to prevent any curdling, ensure all eggs are at room temperature.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: A splash of high-quality, pure vanilla extract acts as a flavor enhancer, subtly boosting and harmonizing all the other ingredients. It adds a comforting, aromatic, and universally loved note to both the spiced cookie and the creamy cheesecake layers, creating a more complex and satisfying taste.
  • Sea Salt: A seemingly small but incredibly mighty ingredient that plays a pivotal role in balancing the overall sweetness and expertly bringing out the depth of flavor in both the snickerdoodle cookie and the creamy cheesecake. It prevents the dessert from tasting one-dimensional.
Pile of snickerdoodle cheesecake bars on baking tray

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting the Perfect Snickerdoodle Cookie Base

The foundation of these incredible bars begins with a thick, chewy, and wonderfully flavorful snickerdoodle cookie base. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a perfect, golden-brown crust every single time:

Step 1 – Prepare Your Pan and Cinnamon Sugar: First, create your aromatic cinnamon sugar. In a small bowl, thoroughly combine your granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until the mixture is uniform and fragrant. Set this aside, as it will be used for both the cookie base and the delightful topping. Next, preheat your oven to 355°F (180°C). Prepare an 8-inch square nonstick baking pan by lining it with parchment paper. To facilitate easy removal of the finished bars, arrange two long strips of parchment paper crossed over each other, ensuring they extend beyond the pan’s edges to create convenient “handles.” This thoughtful preparation will make lifting the chilled cheesecake bars a simple task.

Step 2 – Cream Butter, Sugars, and Eggs: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and sea salt. Begin beating these ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture transforms into a wonderfully light, fluffy, and noticeably pale consistency. This crucial creaming process is key to incorporating air, which contributes significantly to the tender and airy texture of the finished cookie base. Periodically stop the mixer to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, ensuring all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Next, add the large egg and the additional egg yolk, beating well after each addition until fully integrated into the mixture. Finish by mixing in the pure vanilla extract, beating just until it is combined, taking care not to overmix.

  • Adding eggs into cookie dough
  • Beating butter and sugar until light and fluffy for the cookie dough

Step 3 – Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Carefully sift the all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and the remaining ground cinnamon directly into the same bowl containing your wet ingredients. Sifting is important here, as it not only ensures there are no unwelcome lumps but also helps to aerate the dry ingredients, leading to a lighter cookie. Using a sturdy spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until they are just combined and a cohesive dough begins to form. It is crucial to be careful at this stage and avoid overmixing, as excessive gluten development can result in a tough, less tender cookie base.

Prepared snickerdoodle cookie dough ready to press into pan

Step 4 – Press and Pre-Bake the Base: Take approximately two-thirds of your freshly prepared snickerdoodle cookie dough and evenly press it into the bottom of the meticulously prepared baking pan. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to gently smooth it out as much as possible, aiming for a uniform and even layer across the entire bottom. Generously sprinkle a few tablespoons of your reserved cinnamon sugar over the pressed dough, ensuring the top is completely covered. Bake this base for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges appear lightly golden and the middle has slightly puffed up. While this base is baking, immediately proceed to prepare your cheesecake filling, ensuring both components are ready for seamless assembly.

  • Uncooked cookie dough base with cinnamon sugar
  • Baked snickerdoodle cookie base

Creating the Creamy Cheesecake Filling and Finishing Touches

Now, let’s turn our attention to the star of the show: the rich, tangy, and incredibly smooth cheesecake filling. These steps will guide you through assembling and baking these delightful bars to absolute perfection, ensuring a creamy texture without the need for a water bath:

Step 1 – Prepare the Cream Cheese Base: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the room temperature full-fat cream cheese, granulated sugar, and a pinch of sea salt. Beat these ingredients together on medium-low speed until the mixture is perfectly smooth, utterly lump-free, and thoroughly combined. The cream cheese MUST be at room temperature to achieve this luxurious consistency. Stop the mixer, take a moment to meticulously scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula, and then beat again briefly to ensure every part is uniformly mixed and silky smooth.

Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth

Step 2 – Integrate Wet Ingredients: Introduce the pure vanilla extract to your smooth cream cheese mixture. Next, add the large eggs one by one, beating on low speed only until each egg is just incorporated before adding the next. This careful approach is crucial to prevent overmixing, which can incorporate too much air into the batter and lead to undesirable cracks in your baked cheesecake. Once the eggs are in, scrape down the bowl thoroughly one more time. Finally, add the room temperature full-fat sour cream and mix just until it is well combined and the batter is smooth and homogeneous. The mixture should be thick and consistent.

Adding eggs to cream cheese filling

Step 3 – Thicken with Cream and Flour: In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the heavy whipping cream and the all-purpose flour until this mixture is perfectly smooth and completely free of any lumps. This flour-cream slurry is a clever addition; it acts as a thickening agent, significantly helping the cheesecake achieve its dense, wonderfully creamy texture without the usual need for a water bath. Gently pour this creamy mixture into your prepared cheesecake batter and mix on low speed just until it is well combined. As always, avoid overmixing. Scrape down the sides of the bowl one final time to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the luscious batter.

Prepared cheesecake batter

Step 4 – Assemble and Pour: With your cheesecake batter ready, carefully pour it evenly over the warm, pre-baked snickerdoodle cookie crust in the prepared pan. If the cookie crust has slightly pulled away from the edges of the pan during its initial bake, gently use the back of a spoon or a small spatula to press the cookie base back into any gaps, creating a continuous and seamless seal. Pouring the cheesecake batter onto the crust while the crust is still warm helps the two layers meld together beautifully and set more effectively during the subsequent baking process.

Cheesecake batter poured over crust before baking

Step 5 – Bake and Top: Reduce your oven temperature to 320°F (160°C). Carefully place the pan containing the cheesecake bars into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-50 minutes. About halfway through the baking time (roughly 20-25 minutes), carefully open the oven door. Take the remaining one-third of your snickerdoodle cookie dough and artfully scatter small, bite-sized pieces over the top of the partially baked cheesecake. Then, generously sprinkle additional cinnamon sugar over these cookie dough bits. This step is key to creating that delightful, textured snickerdoodle topping. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking until the edges of the cheesecake appear set and firm, but the very center still retains a slight, gentle jiggle when the pan is carefully moved. This subtle “jiggle” is your precise indicator of a perfectly creamy, not overbaked, cheesecake.

  • Added pieces of cookie dough on top and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar
  • Snickerdoodle cheesecake bars right out of the oven

Step 6 – Cool Completely and Chill Thoroughly: Once baked to perfection, immediately remove the snickerdoodle cheesecake bars from the oven. Allow them to cool completely to room temperature on a wire rack; this gradual cooling process is essential for preventing cracks from forming on the cheesecake surface. Once they have reached room temperature, transfer the entire pan to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 7 hours, or, for the absolute best results, ideally overnight. This crucial, extended chilling period allows the cheesecake to fully set, firm up its incredibly creamy texture, and, most importantly, provides ample time for all the rich, complex flavors to meld and deepen. Patience truly is a virtue in this final step!

Step 7 – Slice and Serve with Panache: To effortlessly remove the beautifully chilled cheesecake from the pan, gently run a thin, sharp knife along all four inner edges to loosen it. Then, carefully pull on the parchment paper “handles” to lift the entire cheesecake slab out of the pan and transfer it onto a clean cutting board. For impeccably clean, professional-looking slices, employ a long, very sharp chef’s knife. Dip the knife in hot water and thoroughly wipe the blade clean after every single cut. This prevents sticking and ensures crisp edges. Slice the cheesecake into 12 even squares. For an extra touch of sparkle, flavor, and visual appeal, sprinkle a little more cinnamon sugar over the top of each individual bar just before serving. Now, revel in your homemade masterpiece!

Frequently Asked Questions About Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

Can I turn this recipe into a round cheesecake?

Absolutely! To adapt this Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bar recipe into a beautiful round cheesecake, you will need a 9-inch springform pan. We highly recommend doubling all the recipe quantities to ensure you have a sufficiently thick and impressive crust and ample filling for the larger pan size. The baking time will also need to be adjusted accordingly; expect it to increase by approximately 10-15 minutes compared to baking bars, or until the cheesecake exhibits that characteristic gentle jiggle in the center with firmly set edges. Always ensure your springform pan is meticulously greased and floured, or lined with parchment paper, to prevent any sticking and allow for easy release.

Do I really need to chill the cheesecake for so long?

Yes, chilling is arguably the most critical and non-negotiable step for achieving a truly perfect, professional-quality cheesecake, and it is absolutely essential for these Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars. It’s imperative to chill them for a minimum of 7 hours, or, for optimal flavor and texture development, ideally overnight in the refrigerator. This extended chilling period allows the cheesecake’s delicate structure to fully set and firm up, preventing it from being a soft, gooey mess when you attempt to slice it. More importantly, chilling allows all the incredible, complex flavors – the tangy cream cheese, the warm cinnamon, and the sweet vanilla – to properly meld, deepen, and harmonize, resulting in a much more delicious and well-rounded dessert. Skipping this vital step will result in a cheesecake that is too soft, difficult to cut cleanly, and ultimately lacking in the rich, developed flavor you desire. Plan ahead, as the wait is undoubtedly worth every single creamy bite!

Can Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars be frozen for later?

Absolutely, these snickerdoodle cheesecake bars freeze beautifully, making them an excellent make-ahead dessert! Once your cheesecake has completely cooled to room temperature and undergone its essential chilling period in the refrigerator, cut it into individual bars. For best results, place the cut bars in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for approximately 1-2 hours, or until they are completely solid. Once firm, you can transfer the frozen bars to an airtight freezer-safe container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Alternatively, you can wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then store them in a larger freezer bag. These bars will maintain their quality wonderfully in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to indulge, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, or at room temperature for a few hours, before serving. This convenient freezing option makes them perfect for future cravings or unexpected guests.

Discover More Delicious Desserts from Our Kitchen

If you’ve loved creating and indulging in these heavenly Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars, we’re confident you’ll find even more sweet treasures within our curated collection of recipes. Explore these other fantastic and equally delicious desserts to satisfy your every craving:

  • Funfetti Cheesecake Bars
  • Passion Fruit No-Bake Cheesecake [No Gelatin]
  • Decadent Nutella Cheesecake with Oreo Crust
  • Chewy Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

Happy baking, and may your kitchen always be filled with the most delightful aromas!

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📖 Recipe

creamy snickerdoodle cheesecake middle

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

Mary

These snickerdoodle cheesecake bars have a thick and soft snickerdoodle cookie base, creamy cheesecake middle, and more snickerdoodle with cinnamon sugar on top. The thick cheesecake middle is so rich and creamy – no water bath needed! The perfect dessert if you love snickerdoodle cookies and cheesecake.

5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Chill Time 7 hours
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Course Baking, Cheesecake, Dessert
Cuisine American

Servings 16 pieces

Equipment

  • eight inch square non-stick pan

Ingredients

 

 

Cinnamon sugar

  • cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground

Snickerdoodle cookie dough

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 ¼ cup all purpose flour (390g)
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon ground

Cheesecake

  • 16 oz cream cheese (brick style) room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • ½ cup sour cream room temperature
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour

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Instructions

 

Cinnamon sugar

  • Stir cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and set aside.
    ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Snickerdoodle cookie dough

  • Preheat oven to 355°F (180°C). Line a nonstick 8” square baking pan with parchment paper. Line with 2 long strips crossed over, leaving handles at the edges to help lift out after baking.
  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine butter, sugar, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy. Add egg and yolk, beating well and scraping down the bowl. Add vanilla and beat again.
    1 cup unsalted butter, 1 ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon sea salt, 1 large egg, <