Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are a delightful dessert that combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the sweet, cinnamon-sugar goodness of sopapillas. This recipe is a twist on the classic sopapilla dessert, which is a popular treat in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. These bars are easy to make and perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration or simply craving a sweet and satisfying dessert.
Ingredients for Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars:
- 2 cans (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Toppings:
- Honey
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries
How to Make Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, making sure to press the seams together to seal.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Spread this mixture over the crescent roll dough in the baking dish.
- Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and place it on top of the cream cheese mixture, pressing the seams together to seal.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/4 cup sugar with the ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the crescent roll dough.
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Allow the bars to cool slightly before slicing into squares.
- Serve the Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars warm, drizzled with honey and topped with whipped cream and fresh berries if desired.
About the Main Ingredients:
- Crescent Rolls: Crescent roll dough is used as the base and top crust for these bars. It bakes up light and flaky, providing the perfect contrast to the creamy cheesecake filling.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the star of the cheesecake filling, providing richness and creaminess. Make sure to use softened cream cheese for easy mixing.
- Sugar: Sugar is used in the cheesecake filling and the cinnamon-sugar topping to add sweetness. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cheesecake filling, adding a warm and comforting aroma.
- Butter: Melted butter is drizzled over the top of the bars before baking, adding richness and helping the cinnamon-sugar topping to caramelize.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth and flavor to the bars, giving them that classic sopapilla taste.
These Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. They’re easy to make, delicious to eat, and perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!
