cinnamon roll cheesecake bars

Serves 6 · 20 min prep · 40 min cook

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup + 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp milk

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 8x8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy lifting.
2. 2In a medium bowl stir together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan with the bottom of a measuring cup. Bake the crust for 8 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.
3. 3In a large bowl beat the softened cream cheese and remaining granulated sugar with a hand mixer on medium speed until completely smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes; scrape the bowl.
4. 4Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low just until combined after each. Beat in sour cream, vanilla, and flour until the batter is silky with no lumps.
5. 5In a small bowl mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Pour half the cheesecake batter over the warm crust and smooth. Sprinkle half the cinnamon-sugar evenly over the batter.
6. 6Dollop the remaining batter on top and gently smooth. Sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon-sugar over the surface, then swirl lightly with a butter knife in figure-eight motions without scraping the crust.
7. 7Bake 32–38 minutes until the edges are set and the center still has a slight jiggle when the pan is gently shaken. The top should look matte, not wet.
8. 8Cool the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour, then refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight until fully firm.
9. 9Whisk powdered sugar with milk until thick but pourable; add a few more drops of milk if needed. Drizzle the glaze over the chilled bars, lift out with parchment, and cut into 6 neat rectangles with a hot clean knife.