Decadent Salted Caramel Butterfinger Cheesecake Bars Recipe
These Decadent Salted Caramel Butterfinger Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust with a creamy cheesecake filling, topped with rich salted caramel sauce and crunchy Butterfinger candy pieces for an indulgent homemade dessert bar that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
- Author: Hannah
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 65 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full sheets, finely crushed)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
Topping
- 2 Butterfinger candy bars, crushed (about 3.5 ounces)
- ½ cup salted caramel sauce
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars later.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and ¼ cup granulated sugar. Stir well until the mixture is evenly coated and press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust layer.
- Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese together with ⅔ cup sugar on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Add Eggs and Flavoring: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to incorporate fully. Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream, mixing until just combined to keep the filling smooth and prevent overbeating.
- Pour Filling over Crust: Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the slightly cooled crust. Spread with a spatula to level the surface and gently tap the pan on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles.
- Bake the Cheesecake Bars: Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, until the edges are set and the center still jiggles slightly when gently shaken.
- Cool and Add Toppings: Remove from oven and let the bars cool for about 10 minutes. Evenly drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the warm cheesecake surface.
- Add Butterfinger Pieces: Sprinkle the crushed Butterfinger candy bars evenly over the caramel topping and gently press them down to ensure they stick.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the cheesecake bars for at least 3 hours or overnight to allow them to firm up and the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into 9 equal squares and serve chilled.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese to ensure a smooth batter without lumps.
- Do not overbeat the cheesecake filling, as this can cause cracks during baking.
- Use room temperature eggs to help the batter combine smoothly.
- Tapping the pan removes air bubbles for a creamier texture.
- Chill bars thoroughly before slicing to get clean cuts.
- Crush Butterfinger bars gently to preserve chunky texture pieces.
- If cracks form, cover them with extra caramel sauce or Butterfinger pieces for a beautiful finish.
Keywords: Salted Caramel, Butterfinger, Cheesecake Bars, Dessert Bars, Homemade, Easy Dessert