This dessert has been haunting me since it came out of the oven. I took photos yesterday morning and it was all I could do not to devour the entire pan, sliver by sliver. These cheesecake bars are not for me so unfortunately (or fortunately) I was forced to keep my mouth shut after a quality control taste.
A thin layer of brownie crust topped with creamy salted caramel and a silky cheesecake layer makes these bars impossible to resist. The salted caramel layer also adds a depth of flavor that forces you to try another bite. Need another dessert for Thanksgiving or really something delicious just because? Make these.
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Salted Caramel & Brownie Cheesecake Bars
Brownie Layer:
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Cheesecake Layer:
2 8-ounce blocks reduced fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Layer:
1 11-ounce bag of caramel bits
1/3 cup milk (any type)
1 teaspoon sea salt
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Line a 13×9 pan with parchment paper; set aside
Melt chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan over low to heat, stirring constantly
Remove from heat
Stir in sugar
Stir in eggs and vanilla
Whisk in flour until smooth
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for ~8 minutes or until center is glossy and edges start to look cooked
While brownie layer is cooling, prepare cheesecake filling
Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees
Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer using the whisk attachment; beat on high until cream cheese is smooth and creamy
Beat in sugar
Mix in eggs
Stir in flour
Stir in vanilla and set aside
Place caramel bits and milk in a microwaveable bowl
Heat in microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each, until completely melted and smooth
Pour caramel over brownie layer; sprinkle salt over that
Pour cheesecake batter over brownie and caramel
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until edges begin to come apart from sides of pan and cheesecake is set
Brownie recipe adapted from Bakers
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A reminder that the cheesecake blog party is less than two weeks away. Send me your favorite links!
OH my gosh. I would eat every last one of these! They sound a-maaaaazing!!
Thanks, Julie!
This look and sound amazing! Fabulous recipe.
They look delish!!
And I believe I saw your last dessert on one of the foodie sites…FG or TS. Congrats. It looked amazing there and when I saw it here too :)
Thanks, Averie! I was so happy because it had been a while since I got onto FG.
It’s always so bittersweet giving away your baked goods:) These look heavenly… but they are healthy since you used reduced fat cream cheese!
Exactly! And I even used light almond milk in the caramel so they are REALLY healthy:-)
These look fantastic!!
This is deadly! I definitely would not have been able to to exhibit your self-control. :)
Oh wow! I’m drooling. I admire your restraint – I would not have been able to stop myself from eating these. YUM!
Wow these look amazing! I just want to pop them all in my mouth. Brownies, cheesecake and salted caramel? Yes please!!!!
I don’t know how you resisted! These have all of my favorite things in them…dangerous!
They look perfect! I love cheesecake bars. The salted caramel layer sounds super delicious!
I love and hate making things for others! I love to give, and I certainly love that I don’t gain 50 pounds from all the stuff I make. But sometimes I so want to eat the entire pan without sharing!
That is exactly how I feel!
I will not eat my computer screen I will not eat my computer screen I will not eat my computer screen.
Also, perfect cutting job. Brava.
Thanks! I actually hate cutting cheesecake bars so that means a lot lol
Looks so good. Mouthwatering.
Wow, these look so good! I’m not normally a huge cheesecake fan but these could definitely convert me!
Oh man…. could you combine any more of my favorite guilty pleasures? ;) You’ll be my downfall, but it will be such a delicious, sweet downfall…
Well as long as it is sweet and delicious, I’m happy to take the blame.
This is definitely something that will bring every to the table and quickly. Love the layers here-cream cheese and brownies as one, irresistible.
Having them “just because” always works for me. You have willpower of steel girl to be able not have more than a taste for quality control. These are fantastic!
Amazing! Can’t wait to try these!
These are everything I love in a neat little square.
These are gorgeous…probably a good thing they weren’t for you as they appear to be a couple of calories a piece. As always though you do not dissapoint in the dessert category, thank you for another wonderful dessert.
Ooo I think I missed the notice about the cheesecake party somehow. That will be heavenly! Just like these cheesecake bars – salted caramel ::drool::
Yes, send me some links if you have any:-)
Oh my lord. I am literally pawing at the screen trying to get at these. Just stunning. As always.
Thanks, Tori!
I am in awe. I would have totally eaten the whole pan. Delicious!
You love that salted caramel! I’m sure your Thanksgiving will be amazing!!!
I am the same way with brownies, and these are gorgeous! Salted caramel is irresistible.
I don’t think it gets any better than cheesecake, brownies, and salted caramel!
I don’t know how you resisted from eating the whole pan. They look like a piece of heaven.
I think these should be the appetizers on Turkey day :)
I like that idea!
These are mouthwatering. I dont think I would be able to make these to give away because the quality control test would probably be a never ending one and I would be left with a few crumbs.
These look amazing- I love salted caramel!
….like you I probably would have eaten the whole pan too if I had the chance!
Wow..you have some amazing recipes – your blog is like the Willy Wonka Factory of baking! Cheesecake, SALTED CARAMEL and brownie is just brilliant. Looking forward to trying them!
Thanks, Lisa! That was pretty much the best comment ever:-)
Another WOW, Lauren. These look fabulous!
OMG, I’ve been seriously obsessed with having cheesecake for months now. I really need to make it happen. These look divine!!
Let me know if you end up trying them! I was really happy with how they turned out:-)
Will do. Where did you get the caramel bits? I’ve never heard of that :)
I may have gotten them at Walmart. http://www.kraftbrands.com/caramels/products/default.aspx
The regular wrapped caramels work well, too, just less work if you don’t have to unwrap them:-)
I have a question. In the recipe, you said “two blocks of cream cheese”. So, how big were the blocks you used? I mean, are we talking two 8 oz. blocks or two 16 oz. blocks or what?
Hi Angela- Thanks for pointing that out! The recipe should call for two 8-ounce blocks. I’m making that change now!
This dessert has been haunting me since I read the title haha. They look amaaaaaazing!!
Oh my goodness, these look positively divine! Definitely on the top of my to-do list.
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com
These bars have wonderfulness at every layer!
LOVE these! But they’d be awful dangerous to have around….so darn tempting!
Amazing layers of flavors, awesome dessert!
I can’t imagine anything better!
These look so good! You had me at salted caramel, but to throw brownie AND cheesecake in there? This couldn’t be more delicious :-)
These bars are so fun!
Ok wow, this look heavenly. Next time I make cheesecake brownies, I will be adding in the layer of salted caramel…thanks for sharing this wonderful idea!
these look so good can you post one to australia please :)
These look so amazing!
These look amazing and I’m getting ready to make them right now!! Question, I’m assuming the cheesecake is to cool at room temp and then chill over night…and then cut into bars?
I am so glad you are making them! It probably makes sense for them to cool at room temperature for a little bit, but I think you can put them right into your refrigerator as long as the pan is over a towel or oven mitt. Let me know how they turn out!
These were tasty but I couldn’t get them out of the pan! They were stuck to the foil, so my co-workers and I scraped off the tops….a few lucky ones were able to get the brownie part off the foil. Not sure what happened, but the cheesecake and caramel was yummy.
Hi Brindi- I’m sorry to hear that! I’m actually making another batch today and will try it with wax paper instead of foil to see if it is easier. I had a little trouble with the foil but was able to make it work last time.
Ok, so I definitely would NOT recommend wax paper (fail!). Parchment paper might be a better option or just making sure you really spray the foil well.
Mmmm these look so yummy! I have been looking for a recipe with salted caramel/ dulce de leche and chocolate.. so I might try theses very soon