Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are a decadent treat combining flaky pastry with a rich, creamy cheesecake filling, all topped with buttery cinnamon sugar. These bars are incredibly easy to make with just 8 ingredients, and they offer the perfect balance of sweet and savory. If you’re craving a dessert that’s reminiscent of a cinnamon sugar doughnut and cheesecake, this is it!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 (8 oz) packages of crescent rolls

• 24 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1 ¼ cups white sugar

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 large egg

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick spray.

2. Unroll one tube of crescent rolls and press it into the bottom of the pan, pinching the seams together.

3. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in 1 cup of sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and egg until fully combined.

4. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the crescent roll base and smooth it evenly.

5. Unroll the second tube of crescent rolls on a parchment paper, pinch the seams, and roll it slightly. Place this dough over the cheesecake layer.

6. Brush melted butter over the top and sprinkle with a mixture of the remaining ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon.

7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown.

8. Allow the bars to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours (or overnight) before serving.

Nutrients

• Serving Size: 1 bar

• Calories: 220 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 26g

• Protein: 4g

• Fat: 12g

  • Saturated Fat: 7g

• Cholesterol: 48mg

• Sodium: 120mg

• Sugar: 14g

The Flaky Crescent Roll Base

The base of these Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars is made from crescent roll dough, which provides a quick and easy solution to creating a flaky, buttery crust. Crescent rolls are a classic pastry that puff up beautifully when baked, offering a light and flaky texture that perfectly complements the rich, creamy cheesecake filling. By pressing one tube of crescent rolls into the bottom of a baking dish and pinching the seams together, you create a solid foundation for the dessert. The dough bakes up golden brown, creating a crisp and slightly chewy base that pairs wonderfully with the sweet filling and cinnamon sugar topping.

The Creamy Cheesecake Filling

The filling for Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars is a smooth and creamy blend of softened cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and egg. This simple yet decadent mixture is what transforms these bars into a cheesecake-inspired treat. The cream cheese provides the rich and tangy flavor that makes cheesecake so beloved, while the sugar and cornstarch help to thicken the filling to the perfect consistency. The addition of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, giving it a warm and comforting note. The egg binds everything together, allowing the filling to set properly when baked.

Once the crescent roll base is prepared, the cheesecake filling is poured over the dough and spread evenly to create a luscious layer of creaminess. This filling becomes thick and custardy when baked, offering that quintessential cheesecake texture in every bite.

The Cinnamon Sugar Topping

One of the standout features of Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars is the cinnamon sugar topping that crowns the dessert. Made with a combination of white sugar and cinnamon, this topping is sprinkled generously over the melted butter brushed on top of the second layer of crescent roll dough. The cinnamon sugar bakes into a beautiful, golden crust that adds a perfect balance of sweetness and spice to each bar. The buttery, cinnamon-sugar flavor is reminiscent of a sopapilla, a traditional Mexican dessert pastry, which is where the bars get their name. The crispiness of the cinnamon sugar topping provides a delightful contrast to the soft and creamy cheesecake filling, making every bite a satisfying treat.

Simple Yet Elegant

What makes Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars so appealing is their simplicity. The ingredients are common pantry staples, and the recipe doesn’t require any special baking skills or equipment. In just a few easy steps, you can have a delicious dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end bakery. The crescent roll dough serves as both a crust and a topping, cutting down on preparation time and making this recipe a hassle-free option for busy bakers. Despite the ease of preparation, the result is a beautifully layered dessert that will impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Baking Tips for Perfect Bars

To ensure your Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars come out perfectly, here are a few baking tips to keep in mind:

1. Grease the Pan: Grease your 9×13-inch pan well with non-stick spray to ensure the bars don’t stick during baking. This is especially important since the crescent roll dough can sometimes be tricky to remove from the pan without sticking.

2. Seal the Crescent Roll Seams: Be sure to pinch the seams of the crescent roll dough together when pressing it into the pan. This will prevent the cheesecake filling from leaking out during baking and create a more uniform crust.

3. Watch the Baking Time: The bars should bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Keep an eye on them towards the end to prevent over-baking, which can cause the bars to dry out.

4. Let Them Cool: Once the bars are out of the oven, allow them to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. This step is essential to allow the cheesecake filling to set properly and prevent it from being too runny when cut.

5. Chill Before Serving: Refrigerating the bars for at least three hours (or overnight) allows the flavors to meld and the cheesecake filling to firm up, making it easier to cut into clean bars.

Serving Suggestions

Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether it’s a family gathering, a birthday celebration, or a casual afternoon dessert, these bars are sure to please a crowd. They are especially delicious when served chilled, making them a great option for warmer weather when you don’t want to turn on the oven for a longer bake.

These bars also pair wonderfully with a hot beverage, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Their rich, creamy texture and sweet cinnamon topping make them an ideal companion to a warm drink. You can even add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for an extra indulgent treat.

For a creative twist, you could experiment with different toppings, such as a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce, chopped nuts, or fresh berries. The versatility of this dessert makes it easy to customize based on your preferences or what you have on hand.

Why Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Stand Out

What makes Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars so special is the way they combine familiar flavors in an unexpected way. The buttery, flaky crescent roll dough serves as the perfect base for the rich and creamy cheesecake filling, while the cinnamon sugar topping adds a delightful crunch and sweetness. The combination of these elements creates a dessert that’s both comforting and indulgent, satisfying cravings for both cinnamon-sugar pastries and cheesecake in one bite.

Additionally, the simplicity of the recipe makes it accessible to bakers of all skill levels. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, these bars are a great option for making a crowd-pleasing dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a decadent treat that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are a must-try dessert for anyone who loves the combination of creamy cheesecake and sweet, buttery pastries. With their flaky crescent roll crust, rich cheesecake filling, and cinnamon sugar topping, these bars are the perfect balance of flavor and texture. They are simple to make, versatile, and sure to impress anyone who tastes them. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a quick dessert to enjoy at home, Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are an easy and delicious option that will quickly become a favorite.