Strawberries & Cream Churro Cheesecake Bars

These Strawberries & Cream Churro Cheesecake Bars combine the warm, crispy flavors of churros with the creamy richness of cheesecake, all topped off with fresh strawberries for a delightful twist. A layer of crescent dough holds the smooth, sweet cheesecake filling, while the top and bottom are coated in cinnamon sugar for a churro-like crunch. Finished with fresh strawberries and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, these bars offer a dessert that’s a little bit indulgent, fruity, and absolutely delicious.

Why You’ll Love This: You’ll love this recipe for the balance of flavors and textures: the soft, creamy cheesecake contrasts with the cinnamon sugar-coated crust, and the fresh strawberries add a bright burst of flavor. The crescent roll dough makes this recipe incredibly easy, while the addition of cinnamon sugar gives it that churro-like crispness you love. The combination of sweet strawberries and rich cream cheese creates a perfect harmony in every bite.

Perfect Occasion: These churro cheesecake bars are perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or a weekend treat. They’re easy to make, and the chilled bars can be prepared ahead of time, making them great for serving at parties or as a dessert for summer barbecues. The addition of fresh strawberries and condensed milk makes them a lovely option for spring and summer events.

Decoration Tips: For an extra touch, you can garnish the bars with more fresh strawberry slices or a light drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce. A dusting of powdered sugar will also add a pretty finishing touch. Serve the bars on a decorative platter to show off the layers and colors.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Bars:

• 1 can of Pillsbury crescent rolls
• 2 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon

For the Topping:

• Fresh strawberries, sliced
• Sweetened condensed milk (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Crescent Dough:
   • On a floured surface, roll out the crescent dough. Cut the dough in half, setting one half aside for the top layer.
3. Make the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:
   • In a small bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon.
4. Prepare the Baking Dish:
   • Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Sprinkle a layer of the cinnamon sugar mixture on the bottom of the lined dish.
5. Layer the Dough:
   • Take one half of the crescent dough and place it on the bottom of the baking dish, pressing it gently into the cinnamon sugar layer.
6. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
   • In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, egg, vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
7. Assemble the Bars:
   • Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough in the baking dish.
   • Place the second half of the crescent dough over the cream cheese filling.
8. Add the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
   • Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the top layer of dough.
9. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheesecake filling is set.
10. Cool and Chill:
    • Allow the bars to cool for at least 1-2 hours at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for another 2-3 hours (or overnight) to fully set.
11. Add Strawberries & Cream:
    • Before serving, top the bars with fresh sliced strawberries and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk for the strawberries and cream flavor.

Enjoy!