Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Alright, friends, buckle up because today, I’m about to transform your snack game with a dessert that’s as effortless as it is indulgent. Picture this: layers of pillowy crescent roll dough hugging a dreamy cream cheese filling, all crowned with a cinnamon-sugar sprinkle that could probably solve world peace—seriously, it’s that good. Let’s get baking!

My affection for Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars springs from their wonderful juxtaposition of textures and flavors. They are creamy, but not too creamy, and not overly sweet, with a hint of vanilla extract that contrasts nicely with the flaky layers of Crescent roll dough.

The topping is what really makes these pop, though. It’s sort of a cross between a streusel topping and a custard topping, with a lot of texture and a lot of flavor.

Buttery, sweet, and with just enough cinnamon to be interesting without overpowering, it makes for some excruciatingly good bites.

Ingredients

• Cream Cheese: Adds richness and creaminess; high in fat.
• White Sugar: Sweetens the dessert; high in carbohydrates.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances flavor with aromatic notes.
• Crescent Roll Dough: Provides flaky layers; based on refined flour.
• Butter: Contributes moisture and richness; high in fat.
• Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice; contains antioxidants.
• Honey: Natural sweetener; adds moisture and flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

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• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup honey (optional, for drizzling)

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How to Make this

1. Set your oven to bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, 1 cup of white sugar, and vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, mix on low speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to fully incorporate all of the ingredients.

3. Open a can of crescent roll dough and evenly spread it into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form a base crust.

4. Evenly spread the mixture of cream cheese over the crescent roll crust, which is in the pan.

5. Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and layer it over the cream cheese mixture, covering it completely.

6. Evenly pour the melted butter over the top layer of crescent dough.

7. Combine in a small bowl, 1/2 cup of white sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Evenly, sprinkle this mixture over the buttered dough.

8. Preheat the oven. Bake until, about 30 minutes later, the top is golden brown and puffed.

9. Take it out of the oven and let it cool to room temperature. After that, place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to achieve a set state.

10. Optional: Just before serving, drizzle with honey if you prefer added sweetness. Cut into bars and savor!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Medium mixing bowl
3. Hand mixer or stand mixer
4. Spatula or scraper
5. 9×13-inch baking dish
6. Can opener (if needed for crescent roll dough)
7. Measuring cups
8. Measuring spoons
9. Small bowl
10. Spoon for sprinkling
11. Knife for cutting bars

FAQ

• Can I use low-fat cream cheese?Indeed, it is acceptable to use low-fat cream cheese; however, the end product may only approximate “cheesecakes” because low-fat cream cheese is creamier than whipped tofu and significantly less thick. No matter how well you blend whipped tofu and low-fat cream cheese (or, for that matter, any of the other ingredients), the amounts of blended tofu used in these recipes yield a cheesecake with a much less dense texture than the traditional kind.
• Can this be made ahead of time?You can make these bars the night before and chill them in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
• Can I substitute the crescent roll dough?Puff pastry is another option you can use, but the bars will be less cake-like and flakier when made with it.
• Is the honey necessary?Honey is optional, but it beautifully finishes the dish and magnifies its flavor.
• How should I store the leftovers?Keep uneaten food in a container that won’t let air in, and put it in the fridge. That food can hang out in the fridge for 3 days and still be good.
• Can I freeze these bars?Indeed, bundle them closely and refrigerate for a duration of up to two months. Defrost in the cold storage compartment and then serve.
• Are there any variations for this recipe?Adding fruit preserves or nuts between the cream cheese layer can provide an extra burst of flavor.

Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Neufchâtel cheese is a lower fat alternative that you can use to replace cream cheese in any recipe.
Coconut sugar or honey can substitute for white sugar as an alternative sweetener.
Vanilla extract: Substitute with almond extract.

Use almond extract instead of vanilla extract to obtain a different flavor profile.
Dough for crescent rolls: Use puff pastry sheets, rolled to fit the pan, as a substitute.
Coconut oil or margarine can be used as a non-dairy substitute for butter.

Pro Tips

1. Room Temperature Ingredients Ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature before mixing. This will help it blend smoothly with the sugar and vanilla, preventing lumps.

2. Stretch the Crescent Dough Gently press and stretch the crescent roll dough in the baking dish to create an even and uniform crust. Make sure the seams are sealed to prevent any filling from seeping through.

3. Chill Before Slicing Allow the dessert to adequately chill in the refrigerator after baking. This helps the layers set properly and makes it easier to cut clean slices.

4. Even Cinnamon Sugar Distribution When sprinkling the cinnamon sugar mixture, do it with an even hand to ensure every bite has the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

5. Customize the Drizzle Experiment with different toppings. In addition to honey, you can try drizzling with a caramel sauce or even a chocolate glaze for a different flavor profile.