Delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Bars with Oatmeal Crumble Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

2 cups of finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
4 tablespoons of salted butter, melted

For the Cheesecake Layer:

16 ounces of cream cheese, softened
¾ cup of granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

For the Strawberry Filling:

3 cups of fresh strawberries, finely chopped
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
½ cup of firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
1½ tablespoons of cornstarch

For the Oatmeal Crumble:

1 cup of old-fashioned oats
1 cup of firmly packed light brown sugar
¼ teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, cold and finely diced

Directions:

Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring that there’s an overhang on the sides for easy removal later. Set the prepared pan aside.

Prepare the Crust: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar. Create a small well in the center and pour in the melted butter. Mix until the mixture is evenly combined. Transfer this crust mixture to the prepared baking pan and gently press it evenly into the bottom. Bake this crust for 8 minutes.

Prepare the Cheesecake Layer: While the crust is baking, prepare the cheesecake layer. In another medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set this cheesecake mixture aside.

Prepare the Strawberry Filling: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the chopped strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the strawberries have softened and released their juices. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar and cornstarch, then stir this mixture into the strawberry mixture. Continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and resembles a pie filling. Remove from heat.

Prepare the Oatmeal Crumble: In a large bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, firmly packed light brown sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon. Add the cold, diced butter to the mixture, and using a pastry cutter or your fingers, blend the ingredients together until you achieve a coarse crumble.

Layer and Bake: Once the crust has finished baking, pour the prepared cheesecake mixture over the crust, spreading it out evenly. Next, pour the strawberry sauce over the cheesecake layer. Finally, top the strawberry layer with the oatmeal crumble.

Baking Time: Bake the cheesecake bars in the preheated oven for 50 to 70 minutes or until the top of the crumble turns a beautiful golden brown.

Cool and Chill: Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 to 60 minutes. Afterward, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and allow the cheesecake bars to cool for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to ensure they set properly.

Enjoy: Once fully chilled and set, remove the cheesecake from the pan using the parchment paper overhang, and slice into delectable squares. Enjoy this delightful treat!

This sumptuous recipe combines a buttery graham cracker crust, a luscious cream cheese layer, a sweet and tangy strawberry filling, and a crunchy oatmeal crumble topping, creating a dessert that’s bound to impress your taste buds and leave you craving more.