Cinnamon Pecan Streusel Cheesecake Bars

These Cinnamon Pecan Streusel Cheesecake Bars are like two desserts in one but with only 15 minutes of effort required.  A creamy cheesecake filling is sandwiched between a sugar cookie base and a cinnamon pecan streusel for three layers of deliciousness.

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Do you ever associate a specific food with a time in your life?  Like a specific smell or a song might take you back in time, food can also have the same effect.  The mere mention of these Cinnamon Pecan Streusel Cheesecake Bars can instantly transport me back in time.  The first time I made them, I was overdue with our first child and per usual, decided to bake something as a way to pass the time.  Apparently the back pain I was experiencing was actually the first sign of labor and I ended up never getting a single bite.  They were baked and put into the fridge to cool and instead our amazing neighbors who were looking after our cat, Thomas, got to enjoy them instead.

So I filed the recipe away in a binder with the thought that one day I’d give them another try.  Apparently that day happened to be six and a half years later.

Better to enjoying these Cinnamon Pecan Streusel Cheesecake Bars now than never!  A creamy cheesecake filling is sandwiched between a sugar cookie base and a cinnamon pecan streusel.  Cheesecake.  Cookie.  Streusel.  Three words that can only mean delicious – especially when included in each and every bite of this easy dessert!  And to think I’ve been missing out on these easy cheesecake bars for all this time!  What was I thinking?

I’m a big fan of bars as you can cut them in a size to match your appetite whether that be a tiny sliver or a large slab.  No judgement here!  That’s likely why I have so many great bar recipes in my archives like these decadent Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars, holiday inspired Chocolate Espresso Eggnog Bars and insanely decadent Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Brownie Bars.

I told our daughter I really should name these Cinnamon Pecan Streusel Cheesecake Bars after her.  A sweet recipe for the sweet girl that first made me a mama.  Of course, she wholeheartedly agreed.  Which then caused her sister to squeal because I haven’t named any recipes after her.  Drama filled donuts do seem to have a certain ring to them, don’t they?

Melanie Bauer | Melanie Makes

Yields 12 bars

Cinnamon Pecan Streusel Cheesecake Bars

15 minPrep Time

25 minCook Time

40 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

Cinnamon Pecan Streusel
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup pecans chopped
Bar Base
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1-1/4 cup flour
• pinch salt
Cheesecake
• 2 8 oz. packages cream cheese
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cinnamon Pecan Streusel
2. In a small bowl stir together sugar, vanilla and flour. Cut in flour.
3. Stir in cinnamon and pecans and set aside.
Bar Base
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar.
5. Add egg and mix until combined.
6. Stir in flour and salt until just combined.
7. Press into an even layer in greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
Cheesecake
8. Cream together cream cheese and sugar.
9. Add eggs and mix until combined.
10. Pour over bar base and bake for 20 minutes.
11. Remove bars from oven and top with Cinnamon Pecan Streusel. Return bars to oven.
12. Turn oven off and prop door open 1" and let bars cool for 15 minutes in oven.
13. Remove bars from oven and let cool for 30 minutes before putting in fridge to complete cooling at least two hours before serving.

Notes

Adapted from Penzey's.

7.8.1.2

186

https://melaniemakes.com/cinnamon-pecan-streusel-cheesecake-bars/

Melanie Bauer | Melanie Makes

The more the merrier when it comes to cheesecake bars, I always say.  (Really, I do!)  I’m also a big fan of these chocolatey M&M Cheesecake Bars, autumn inspired Pumpkin Churro Cheesecake Bars and classic Maple Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars.