No-Bake Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Make these easy, creamy cheesecake bars featuring a bright strawberry and lemon flavor profile without using your oven.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 6 hr 20 min
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for crust)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup strawberry puree (from fresh or frozen strawberries)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for filling)
- Optional: Fresh strawberry slices for topping
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a bowl. Pour in melted butter and mix until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Place the crust in the freezer while you prepare the filling.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Gradually beat in the sweetened condensed milk until fully combined and smooth.
- Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest until the mixture thickens slightly. Fold in the powdered sugar.
- Pour about two-thirds of the cream cheese mixture over the chilled crust, spreading it evenly.
- Gently swirl the strawberry puree into the remaining one-third of the cream cheese mixture. Dollop this strawberry mixture over the plain layer. Use a knife or skewer to create swirls.
- Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight, until the bars are completely set.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 16 squares. Top with fresh strawberry slices before serving.
Notes
- For the best texture, ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature before mixing.
- If using frozen strawberries for the puree, thaw them completely and drain off excess liquid before pureeing.
- Chill the bars for the full recommended time to prevent the filling from being too soft when cut.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 35