Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars – The Ultimate Dessert Mashup

If you’re torn between the silky richness of crème brûlée and the creamy indulgence of cheesecake, get ready for your new favorite dessert: Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars. These heavenly bars take everything you love about both classics—the velvety cheesecake base and the iconic glassy caramelized sugar top—and fuse them into one irresistible treat.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, baking for the holidays, or craving something sophisticated yet simple, these cheesecake bars deliver a show-stopping finish every time. Let’s dive into how to make them perfectly at home.

The Perfect Blend of Two Desserts

Crème brûlée, with its custard base and signature crackly sugar crust, has long been considered a fine-dining favorite. Cheesecake, on the other hand, is the comfort dessert we all know and love—smooth, dense, and just the right amount of tangy.

By combining these two, you get the creamy texture of cheesecake with the caramelized top of crème brûlée, all in a bar form that’s easy to slice, serve, and share.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt

For the Brûlée Topping:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for torching)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
2. Make the Crust
   In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the texture resembles wet sand. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
   In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and lump-free. Add the sugar and beat again until creamy.
   Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure a smooth, uniform batter.
4. Pour and Bake
   Pour the cheesecake mixture over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until the center is mostly set but still slightly jiggly. Avoid overbaking—cheesecake continues to firm up as it cools.
5. Cool and Chill
   Let the bars cool at room temperature for one hour. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until completely set.
6. Add the Brûlée Topping
   Just before serving, sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over the top of the chilled cheesecake layer. Using a kitchen torch, gently caramelize the sugar until it melts, bubbles, and forms a crisp amber crust. If you don’t have a torch, broil the top for a few minutes—watching closely—to achieve the same effect.
7. Slice and Serve
   Once the sugar hardens, slice into bars using a warm, clean knife. Wipe between cuts for clean edges. Serve immediately and listen for that satisfying crack as your fork breaks the sugar shell.

Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars

A creamy fusion of cheesecake and crème brûlée with a caramelized sugar topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 12 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Crust

• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted

Cheesecake Filling

• 16 oz cream cheese softened
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs large
• 1 cup sour cream
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

Brûlée Topping

• 0.25 cup granulated sugar for caramelizing

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking pan
• Wire rack
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Kitchen torch

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine graham crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into pan and bake 8–10 minutes.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then sour cream, cream, vanilla, and salt.
4. Pour filling over crust. Bake 35–40 minutes until set but slightly jiggly in center.
5. Cool 1 hour, then refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
6. Sprinkle sugar on top and caramelize with torch or broiler until golden.
7. Slice into bars and serve immediately.

Notes

Torch the sugar just before serving for best texture.

Tips for Success

• Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Softened cream cheese and eggs help prevent lumps and ensure a silky texture.
• Avoid Overbaking: Slightly jiggly centers yield the creamiest bars once cooled.
• Torch Timing: Torch right before serving to maintain the crisp brûlée topping.
• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers (without sugar topping) for up to 5 days. Add the sugar crust just before serving.

Variations

• Espresso Crème Brûlée Bars: Add 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the filling for a mocha twist.
• Lemon Crème Brûlée Bars: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest for a bright citrusy flavor.
• Salted Caramel Brûlée Bars: Drizzle caramel sauce under the sugar layer for an indulgent surprise.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars chilled, with a dollop of whipped cream or a few fresh raspberries. For a dinner party, pair them with espresso or dessert wine for a sophisticated finish.

Fun Fact

The name “crème brûlée” literally means “burnt cream” in French—a reference to the scorched sugar layer that defines it. The earliest known recipes date back to 1691 in France, though England and Spain also have similar versions (Trinity Cream and Crema Catalana). When merged with cheesecake, this centuries-old dessert becomes a modern masterpiece that’s as elegant as it is comforting.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Combines two classic desserts into one.
• Easy to serve in individual portions.
• Gorgeous caramelized topping that impresses guests.
• Make-ahead friendly and perfect for holidays or parties.

Storage & Make-Ahead

You can prepare the cheesecake layer up to two days in advance. Keep it chilled, covered tightly in plastic wrap. When ready to serve, sprinkle and torch the sugar topping. Avoid freezing once the sugar topping has been added, as it will lose its crisp texture.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Cracked Cheesecake? You may have overbaked it. Cover imperfections with sugar topping—it hides everything!
• Sugar Won’t Melt Evenly? Hold the torch about 2 inches away and move it constantly to prevent burning.
• Soft Top After Torching? Chill the bars for 5–10 minutes before serving for that perfect crème brûlée crack.

Final Thoughts

These Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars are the definition of a “best of both worlds” dessert. They’re elegant enough for special occasions yet easy enough for weeknight baking. Each bite delivers creamy, rich cheesecake beneath a crisp caramel top—a textural and flavor contrast that’s downright addictive.

Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just for yourself, this dessert will make you feel like a pastry chef in your own kitchen.