Description
These Butterfinger Caramel Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust with a creamy, rich cheesecake filling, topped with decadent caramel sauce and crunchy Butterfinger candy pieces. Perfectly sweet and indulgent, this dessert is chilled to set and served in bars, making it an ideal treat for parties or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
For the Topping
- ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 3 Butterfinger bars, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease or line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir until well combined.
- Press Crust: Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Bake Crust: Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure a smooth mixture.
- Add Vanilla and Sour Cream: Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream until fully combined for added richness and creaminess.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled graham cracker crust and spread evenly.
- Bake Cheesecake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cheesecake is set and slightly golden around the edges. It should still have a slight jiggle in the center.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to fully set.
- Add Toppings: Once fully chilled, drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle Butterfinger: Sprinkle the crushed Butterfinger pieces on top of the caramel for added crunch and sweetness.
- Serve: Slice into bars and serve chilled. Enjoy the rich and delicious combination of creamy cheesecake, sweet caramel, and crunchy Butterfingers!
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps in the cheesecake filling.
- Baking until there is still a slight jiggle in the center ensures the cheesecake remains creamy and not overcooked.
- Chilling the bars overnight helps them set perfectly and makes slicing cleaner.
- You can use store-bought caramel sauce for convenience or make homemade caramel for a richer flavor.
- For easier removal, line the pan with parchment paper extending over the edges.
