Name: Pecan Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 13 whole graham crackers; ¾ cup pecan halves; 3 tablespoons light brown sugar; ½ cup melted butter; 24 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened; 1 cup sour cream; 1 cup sugar; 4 large eggs; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 ¾ cups pecan halves, chopped; ¾ cup light brown sugar; ¾ cup heavy cream; ½ cup butter; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon salt

If you’re looking for a dessert that feels like the ultimate comfort food and a festive crowd-pleaser, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Pecan Cheesecake Bars Recipe combines the rich creaminess of cheesecake with the sweet, nutty crunch of pecan pie topping — all in convenient, snackable bars. I absolutely love how this turns out every single time, and I promise you’ll feel like a kitchen superstar whipping these up!

💚

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: This recipe comes together quickly using a food processor, so you can enjoy homemade cheesecake bars without any hassle.
Perfect Texture: The crust is buttery and crunchy while the cheesecake is silky and smooth — a match made in dessert heaven.
Decadent Pecan Topping: The homemade pecan pie topping is rich, gooey, and full of cinnamon-spiced flavor, taking these bars to the next level.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether you’re making these for a holiday feast or a casual get-together, they’re guaranteed to impress your guests.

A close-up image of a white rectangular baking dish filled with a thick layer of glossy caramel topping mixed with many chopped pecans. The caramel layer has a rich golden-brown color with a slightly shiny texture, evenly spread covering the entire surface. The pecans are roasted and scattered densely throughout the caramel, adding a rough and crunchy look with their dark brown and light tan colors. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Pecan Cheesecake Bars, pecan dessert recipes, easy cheesecake bars, nutty dessert bars, festive cheesecake bars

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient here plays an important role to bring out the best flavors and textures. From the buttery crust to the rich cheesecake filling and the luscious pecan topping — you’ll see how the combo creates a harmonious dessert you come back to time and again.

Flat lay of whole graham crackers stacked neatly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pecan halves, another white bowl containing light brown sugar, a white bowl holding melted butter, a round block of full-fat cream cheese with smooth surface, a small white bowl of sour cream, a white bowl filled with granulated sugar, four whole large brown eggs with clean shells arranged symmetrically, a small white bowl with all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl of salt, chopped pecan halves in a white bowl, a small white bowl filled with heavy cream, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of butter, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Pecan Cheesecake Bars, pecan dessert recipes, easy cheesecake bars, nutty dessert bars, festive cheesecake bars

Graham crackers: These form the sturdy, slightly sweet base; look for fresh ones to get that perfect crust.
Pecan halves: Use fresh, quality pecans for toasty, crunchy bits both in the crust and topping.
Light brown sugar: Adds gentle molasses notes that complement the pecans perfectly.
Melted butter: Binds the crust crumbs together and adds richness.
Full-fat cream cheese: The star of the cheesecake—soften it to room temperature for a smooth filling.
Sour cream: Gives the cheesecake a subtle tang and creamy texture.
Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake filling evenly.
Large eggs: Help set the cheesecake and add structure.
All-purpose flour: Stabilizes the filling to prevent cracking.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
Salt: Balances sweetness and heightens other flavors.
Heavy cream: Used in the pecan topping for luscious richness.
Butter (for topping): Melts into the pecan mixture creating that signature gooey texture.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warm spice notes that pair beautifully with pecans.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Pecan Cheesecake Bars Recipe can be! Depending on what you like or have on hand, you can easily swap things around to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Gluten-Free Version: Try using gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour in the crust; I’ve done this and it still turns out wonderfully crisp.
Chocolate Drizzle: A drizzle of melted dark chocolate over the bars adds an extra indulgence — my family can’t get enough of this twist!
Mini Cheesecake Bars: I sometimes make these in mini muffin tins for easier portion control and to serve at parties.
Nut-Free: Replace pecans with toasted coconut flakes or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version that still has great texture.

How to Make Pecan Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Step 1: Make and Bake the Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and prepping a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick spray — this makes cleanup a breeze. I use my food processor to combine the graham crackers, pecan halves, and brown sugar into fine crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse until it looks like wet sand. Press this mixture evenly into the pan’s bottom and bake for 10 minutes. Baking the crust first ensures it stays crisp underneath the creamy filling — trust me, that texture is everything!

Step 2: Blend the Cheesecake Filling

Once the crust’s baking, clean your food processor bowl and add softened cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, eggs, flour, vanilla extract, and salt. I like to process until everything is silky smooth — no lumps allowed here. Pour this luscious batter over the still-warm crust, then gently tap the pan on the counter to pop any pesky air bubbles that could cause cracks. Bake the whole thing for about 30–40 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. This step took me a few tries to perfect, but once I nailed the timing, the cheesecake always set beautifully.

Step 3: Prepare the Pecan Pie Topping

While the cheesecake is baking, chop extra pecan halves and combine them in a small saucepan with brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, cinnamon, and salt. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, then let it simmer for a couple of minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy. Pour this warm, nutty topping evenly over the baked cheesecake and spread gently with a spatula. This topping is what turns cheesecake bars into a decadent treat you’ll rave about!

Step 4: Chill and Slice

After topping your cheesecake bars, pop the whole pan into the fridge for at least 2 hours to let everything set properly. When you’re ready to serve, use a serrated knife to cut clean bars — a neat trick I learned is to wipe the knife blade with a wet paper towel between each cut for perfect edges without sticking. These bars hold their shape beautifully and look as good as they taste.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Pecan Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Soften Cream Cheese Properly: I always leave my cream cheese out for at least an hour so it blends smoothly; cold cream cheese can leave lumps.
Use a Food Processor for Easy Mixing: It’s a game changer for uniformly mixing crust crumbs and getting a silky cheesecake batter fast.
Don’t Skip the Tap: Tapping the pan on the counter after pouring batter removes air bubbles that could cause cracks — a simple trick I swore by after some imperfect first batches.
Chill Time is Key: Patience pays off here — the bars slice so much cleaner and taste better after at least two hours chilling.

How to Serve Pecan Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple — a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra pecan halves arranged on top adds a pretty touch without overwhelming the flavors. Sometimes I drizzle warm caramel sauce for an extra decadent finish that my family goes crazy for.

Side Dishes

These bars shine on their own but taste fantastic paired with freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a late afternoon treat, I like serving them alongside coffee or chai tea to complement the cinnamon and nutty notes.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to arrange these bars on a wooden board surrounded by fresh cranberries and sprigs of rosemary — it turns dessert into a festive centerpiece! They also work wonderfully cut into small bite sizes for easy finger food at potlucks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days, making them perfect for prepping ahead of time or enjoying as a decadent snack over several days.

Freezing

Freezing these bars is totally doable! I freeze them in single layers on a baking sheet first, then wrap tightly in foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving — the texture holds up surprisingly well.

Reheating

If you like your cheesecake bars slightly warm, I recommend popping them in a 300°F oven for about 8-10 minutes or microwaving for 15-20 seconds. Warmed just right, the pecan topping gets beautifully gooey again, and the cheesecake softens without melting.

FAQs

Can I make this Pecan Cheesecake Bars Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the graham crackers with gluten-free graham crackers or use almond flour in the crust. The recipe works wonderfully without gluten, and the bars will still have that buttery, crunchy base you love.
How long should I chill the bars before slicing?

I recommend chilling the bars for at least 2 hours, but overnight is even better if you have the time. This helps the cheesecake and pecan topping firm up for clean slicing and optimal flavor.
Can I prepare these bars ahead for a party?

Yes! These bars keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be frozen for longer storage. Prepare them a day or two in advance to save stress on party day — they actually taste better once flavors meld overnight.
What’s the best knife to cut cheesecake bars?

A serrated knife works best for cutting clean edges without crushing the bars. Wiping the blade with a wet paper towel between cuts helps prevent sticking and keeps slices looking neat.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Pecan Cheesecake Bars Recipe enough—it’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a long day and gets rave reviews from everyone who tries it. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, the steps are straightforward, and the delicious payoff is absolutely worth it. Give it a try, and I’m pretty sure these bars will become a beloved staple in your dessert rotation, just like they are in mine!