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12 ingredients and less than an hour is all it takes to make the most delicious, simple dessert you’ll ever eat! Baking these cheesecake bars in a 9×13 pan is the secret to feeding a crowd without any fancy pans or water baths.
Cheesecake doesn’t have to be difficult!
I feel like cheesecake has gotten this reputation as being a really difficult dessert. There’s the fancy spring form pan, the heavily debated use of the tricky water bath and the low cooking temperature, mixed with the fact that cheesecake is basically cooked through when it’s still jiggly (and looks like it’s not cooked through). So today I am delivering to you the very easiest, most simple, fool-proof, turtle cheesecake bars.
You’ll Love These
- They’re quick and easy! There’s no fancy spring form pan, no water bath. No muss, no fuss. Just simple, straight forward, delicious cheesecake bars!
- They’re great for a crowd! Cheesecake is always a hit at any family get together or party. These cheesecake bars bake in a 9×13 pan which means everyone at the party can have a slice!
- The flavors are amazing! There’s a time and a place for classic plain cheesecake. But I will ALWAYS choose Oreo crust piled high with creamy cheesecake filling, pecans, caramel and chocolate chips over a plain Jane cheesecake every single time!
Instructions
Add Oreos to a food processor.
Pulse until the Oreos are crushed into a crumb texture.
Add butter and pulse until the butter is well incorporated with the Oreos.
Press mixture in an even layer across the bottom of a foil lined 9×13 pan.
In a large bowl use a hand held mixer to combine cream cheese and sour cream until mostly smooth.
Add sugar and vanilla and mix until combined.
Then add eggs and salt.
Mix until smooth and creamy.
Pour filling on top of the crust. Spread in an even layer.
Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the edges of the cheesecake start to pull away from the sides of the pan and the center is set but still jiggly. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2 hours on the counter.
Top with caramel, pecans and mini chocolate chips. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours.
Slice, serve and enjoy!
Tips
- Be sure to line the pan with tin foil. This is a crucial step in ensuring that your cheesecake bars will be super easy to remove from the pan.
- Trust your gut on cook time. The cheesecake will continue to cook in the pan even after you’ve removed it from the oven. You want to err on the side of underdone rather than overdone.
- Your cheesecake is done when the edges pull away from the sides of the pan and the cheesecake looks set, but the center is still slightly jiggly.
- Leave your room temperature ingredients out overnight. For real, overnight. They will mix best when they are legit at room temp.
Easy Desserts
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Peppermint Cheesecake Bars
- Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls
- Peppermint Brownies
- White Wine Poached Pears
The Easiest Turtle Cheesecake Bars
No muss, no fuss. Just simple, straight forward, easy to make, delicious Turtle Cheesecake Bars.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 20 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Crust:
- 12 oz. Oreo cookies
- 5 tablespoons melted butter
Filling:
- (3) 8 oz. packages full fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 8 oz. sour cream, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- Pinch Kosher salt
Topping:
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a 9×13 pan with tin foil.
- Add Oreos to a food processor. Pulse until they are crushed into a crumb texture.
- Pour melted butter into the food processor and pulse until the butter is well incorporated with the Oreos.
- Press mixture in an even layer across the bottom of the baking dish.
- In a large bowl use a hand held mixer to combine cream cheese and sour cream until mostly smooth.
- Add sugar and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Then add eggs and salt and mix until smooth and creamy.
- Pour filling on top of the crust and spread in an even layer.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the edges of the cheesecake start to pull away from the sides of the pan and the center is set but still jiggly.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2 hours on the counter. Top with caramel, pecans and mini chocolate chips.
- Refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours.
- Slice, serve and enjoy!
Notes
Be sure to line the pan with tin foil. This is a crucial step in ensuring that your cheesecake bars will be super easy to remove from the pan.
Trust your gut on cook time. The cheesecake will continue to cook in the pan even after you’ve removed it from the oven. You want to err on the side of underdone rather than overdone.
Your cheesecake is done when the edges pull away from the sides of the pan and the cheesecake looks set, but the center is still slightly jiggly.
Leave your room temperature ingredients out overnight. For real, overnight. They will mix best when they are legit at room temp.
Keywords: chocolate cheesecake, caramel cheesecake, Oreo cheesecake, turtle cheesecake
This post was originally published in August of 2018. It was updated in October of 2019 to include process shots, step-by-step instructions and tips for making the best turtle cheesecake every single time!
Midwest Foodie
The easiest cheesecake bars ever!
★★★★★
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
These look absolutely incredible! I know they wouldn’t last very long in my household – YUM!
★★★★★
Midwest Foodie
I always try to cut them into small squares so I don’t eat them so quickly, but then I just end up having two…or three! These are definitely a favorite in our house!!
Cindy
These are so good. My go to cheesecake recipe now. I got lots of compliments too.
★★★★★
Kylie Lato
Love to hear that Cindy!! So glad you enjoyed this recipe – it’s one of my favorites too!! 🙂
Judy Ashdown
can you freeze these
Kylie Lato
YES! Freeze in an air tight container for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving. Great question Judy!
Sherry Gilbreath
I made these for Labor Day Weekend company & made them a few days early so my family could try them. Well, I ended up having to make more before the guests came because my whole family absolutely loved them. Then the guests loved them
So much that they asked to take a few home, which was totally fine by me. So long story short, I ended up making three times within one week. They were the biggest hit ever. Thanks for such a wonderful recipe. I’ll be making these for the Christmas holidays for sure.
★★★★★
Kylie Lato
What a great host you are! Your friends and family are lucky to have you 🙂 I am so glad they enjoyed this recipe. It is one of my all time favorites – so easy and so good!! Thanks Sherry!
Julia
Another great recipe! I made these last minute for a potluck at my husband’s work and they were a huge hit. Not a single one left. Next time I’ll have to make two batches.
★★★★★
Kylie Lato
Aren’t these just the BEST!?!? And SO SO SO easy! But they’re so pretty it looks like you spent all day in the kitchen! So glad your husband’s co-workers enjoyed them!! Thanks for leaving a review Julia 🙂
Juliana
This was easy to make, (I have never made cheesecake because of how complicated recipes are, they always scare me!) Thank you for the helpful tips you included in the recipe! Everyone raved on how delicious it was. This is my absolute favorite recipe!
★★★★★
Kylie Lato
I’m so glad to hear that Juliana!! 🙂 Cheesecake doesn’t have to be difficult and this recipe definitely shows that! Thanks for leaving a review – I really appreciate it!
Dana
My mom loves Turtles and I wanted to make her something special for Mother’s Day! My family was blown away by how delicious these were! First time I’ve ever made cheesecake and they were the biggest hit. So glad I found this recipe! It’s a new family favorite. Thanks so much!
★★★★★
Kylie Lato
YAYYYYY! I am so glad that your fam enjoyed this recipe! These are so SUPER easy and delish. Thanks for leaving a review, Dana. I really appreciate it!! 🙂
Sophia
This recipe is so easy and came out absolutely delicious! Thank you.
★★★★★
Kylie Lato
I am so glad that you enjoyed this recipe, Sophia! These are one of our family’s favorites! Thanks so much for leaving a review – I really appreciate it 🙂