Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars are like cookies and cheesecake in one! A homemade graham cracker crust is topped with a creamy cheesecake layer and snickerdoodle cookie dough in this sweet and salty recipe.

We love cheesecake you can eat with your hands. These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars and Chocolate Cheesecake Bars are two more incredible cheesecake recipes you’ll love.

Why these Cheesecake Bars are Best

Let me walk you through the delights of this bar:

• The crust is made with a combination of graham cracker crumbs and pecans. Sweet and salty!
• The cheesecake layer is smooth and creamy, and best served COLD.
• The snickerdoodle cookie layer has a top crust of cinnamon sugar and one bite of this bar will leave you wanting more. I promise!

I’m pretty sure that cheesecake bars are nearing the top of my list of “favorite desserts.” I don’t think they could ever replace Krispie Treats….but they come in a close second.

Ingredient Notes

Pecans – These are added to the How to Make a Graham Cracker Pie Crust for the perfect dimension of nutty flavor. We also use chopped pecans in the snickerdoodle topping!

Cream cheese – It’s crucial to use full fat regular cream cheese to make the cheesecake layer. You want the kind that comes in STICKS not the “spreads” in the tub.

Cinnamon – It’s not a snickerdoodle dessert without it! You will use this in the filling, the snickerdoodle layer and the final cinnamon-sugar topping.

Tips and Tricks

• Let your cream cheese soften at room temperature to make it easier to incorporate. I take mine of of the refrigerator about 20-30 minutes before making cheesecake bars.
• Do not overbake. Take the bars out of the oven when the cookie layer is fully baked and brown, but the cheesecake is still a bit jiggly.
• Chill your snickerdoodle cheesecake bars for at least 4 hours! Even better, leave the bars in the fridge overnight. They taste best when they’re extra cold so don’t try to cut corners and shorten the chill time.
• Read all my tips and tricks for making perfect graham cracker crust! With or without nuts, it’s my favorite crust for cheesecake.

Recipe FAQs

More Easy Dessert Recipes

•  Strawberry Cheesecake Napoleons: an easy dessert idea!
•  Turtle Brownies: gooey caramel, chocolate and pecans make this a sinfully delicious treat!
• Frosted Chocolate Nut Cookie Bars: chewy, fudgy with a sweet and salty finish!
• Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars – with a crescent roll crust!
• Carrot Cake – our perfect cake recipe!

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Yield: 24 large bars

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Chill Time 4 hours

Total Time 5 hours

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One bite of these Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars and you'll fall in love! The sweet and salty graham cracker pecan crust with the creamy cheesecake layer is all topped to perfection with the snickerdoodle pecan cookie topping!

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 ½ cup graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full size grahams)
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the cheesecake filling:

• 2 packages (8 ounce each) cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

For the snickerdoodle layer:

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ cup chopped pecans

For the topping:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Line a 13x9 baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside. Preheat oven for 350 degrees.
2. In a food processor, pulse graham crackers with pecans and sugar until fine crumbs. Add in melted butter and pulse until combined.
3. Press crumbs into bottom of prepared baking dish. Using palm of your hand (or bottom of a cup) press crumbs firmly until they are pressed into the bottom of the pan.
4. For the cheesecake filling, beat cream cheese with sugar, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon using the whisk attachment of an electric mixer. Beat until fluffy and smooth (about 3-4 minutes). Pour over graham crust.
5. For the cookie dough, beat butter with sugar for 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat thoroughly. Add in baking powder, salt, flour and cinnamon and beat until fully combined. Fold in chopped pecans. Scoop dough by large spoonfuls onto the top of the cheesecake layer. Try to use your fingertips to spread gently until cheesecake layer if fully covered.
6. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon topping. Sprinkle generously over the cookie dough layer.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, middle may still "jiggle." That's okay. You want the cookie layer to be completely cooked and browned. Remove from oven and cool completely. Once cooled, cover with foil and refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight. Cut into squares and enjoy. Keep leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1 bar
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 293Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 112mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 25gProtein: 3g

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Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars are cheesecake and cookie in one. You’ll love the combination of sweet, salty and cinnamon sugar flavors in every bite!