Description
These Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Streusel are a delightful autumn dessert featuring a creamy pumpkin-infused cheesecake layer atop a crunchy graham cracker crust, all topped with a buttery oat streusel. Perfectly spiced with pumpkin pie spice, they offer a balanced sweetness and texture that’s ideal for cozy fall gatherings or as a seasonal treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to make it easier to lift out the bars later.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter until all the crumbs are evenly moistened. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan, forming an even layer to serve as the crust.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice, mixing thoroughly until the mixture is well combined and smooth. Pour this cheesecake filling evenly over the crust in the pan.
- Create the Streusel Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, cold cubed butter, and brown sugar. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly and coarse. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the pumpkin cheesecake layer.
- Bake and Chill: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the center is set and the topping is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature. Then, refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours to fully set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth cheesecake filling.
- The pumpkin pie spice can be substituted with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves if unavailable.
- For easier slicing, chill the bars thoroughly before cutting.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the streusel for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pumpkin cheesecake bars, pumpkin dessert, fall desserts, streusel topping, graham cracker crust, pumpkin pie spice, creamy pumpkin bars
