Crispy Treat Cheesecake Bars Recipes

Steps:

• Line a 9-inch square pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides. Lightly coat the foil and a wooden spoon with cooking spray.
• For the cheesecake squares: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the marshmallows, honey, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt, and stir with the wooden spoon until the marshmallows have completely melted, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the rice cereal, and stir until the mixture is fully combined. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, and press into an even layer while warm. Let sit at room temperature until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Combine the gelatin with 2 tablespoons water in a small microwave-safe bowl, and set aside to soften, about 5 minutes. Beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the the sour cream, sugar, lemon juice, remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt, and beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Microwave the gelatin in 10-second increments, stirring as needed, until it dissolves, 30 to 50 seconds. Pour the gelatin into the cream cheese mixture, and beat on medium-high speed until incorporated, about 30 seconds.
• Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crispy treat layer, and spread out evenly with an offset spatula or butter knife. Wrap the pan loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until the cheesecake layer is set, about 2 hours or up to overnight.
• For the frosting: Whisk together the butter and cream cheese by hand in a medium bowl. Add the sugar and vanilla and whisk until smooth and creamy.
• Cut the cheesecake bites into twenty-five 1 3/4-inch squares. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag or resealable plastic bag. Cut a 1/4-inch hole in the corner of the piping bag. Pipe a circle of frosting on the top of each square, about the diameter of the base of a strawberry. Place a strawberry cut side-down on top of each frosting circle, pushing down gently so that the frosting comes up around the bottom of the strawberry and resembles the base of a Santa hat. Pipe a ball of frosting on the tip of each strawberry for a pom-pom.

Steps:

• Crust
• Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 325°F. Line a 13x9" or 12x8" baking pan with two pieces of parchment paper, leaving overhang on all sides. Anchor parchment to pan with metal binder clips. Stir Nilla wafers, sugar, salt, and remaining 4 Tbsp. butter in a medium bowl to combine. Press mixture into an even layer in bottom of prepared pan; it won't hold together but will pack like a sand. Bake until toasted, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
• Filling and assembly
• While the crust is cooling, beat cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed, stopping motor occasionally and scraping down sides of bowl and beater, 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium and drop in pieces of banana, a little at a time, breaking up and incorporating completely before adding more. (Adding the bananas slowly helps blend them into the cream cheese.) Scrape down bowl and beater again, then beat 2 minutes on medium-high, covering mixer with a splash guard or kitchen towel to avoid spatter. Reduce speed to medium-low and pour in condensed milk; beat, scraping down bowl halfway through, 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition; mix in salt. For the silkiest cheesecake, strain filling though a fine-mesh sieve into a jug or pitcher, pushing through with a rubber spatula. Stir in vanilla paste or scrape in vanilla seeds and mix well.
• Knock stand mixer bowl or jug against counter a few times to release any trapped air. Let filling sit 2 minutes, then pour into crust. Bake cheesecake until 2" of edges are puffed and center wobbles slightly when pan is gently shaken, 30-35 minutes, depending on size of pan. Turn off oven and prop open door (a wooden spoon works well). Let cheesecake cool in oven 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cheesecake cool completely. Chill until cold, at least 4 hours, covering with wax paper or plastic wrap after 1 hour.
• When you are ready to top cheesecake, beat heavy cream, sour cream, and powdered sugar in the clean bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment on medium-high until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Spread topping over chilled cheesecake. Chill, uncovered, at least 1 hour before serving.
• Slice cheesecake with a hot, dry knife and serve cold or room temperature. Do ahead: Cheesecake can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and keep chilled, or freeze up to 1 month. Crust will be slightly softer than when freshly made.