Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Recipe
These Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Streusel are a delicious fusion of creamy pumpkin cheesecake on a crisp graham cracker crust, topped with a buttery oat streusel. Perfectly spiced with pumpkin pie spice and sweetened with brown sugar, these bars are an easy-to-make autumn dessert that offers a delightful balance of creamy, crunchy, and spicy flavors.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper ensuring some overhang for easy removal of bars.
- Make the Crust. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Mix well until all crumbs are moistened. Firmly press this mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to create an even crust layer.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix thoroughly until well combined and smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the crust in the pan.
- Create the Streusel Topping. Combine the flour, rolled oats, cold cubed butter, and brown sugar in a bowl. Using a pastry cutter or clean fingers, cut and mix the butter into the dry ingredients until the topping is crumbly and coarse. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Bake and Chill. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the center is set and the top is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set fully before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For easier slicing, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan once chilled.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature to avoid lumps in the filling.
- You can substitute the rolled oats in the streusel with chopped nuts for extra crunch.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For a festive touch, drizzle with caramel sauce or top with whipped cream before serving.
