Mango Cheesecake Bars
1 h 5 min
|
intermediate
|
vegetarian
Recipe by Eunice
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 30 min | 35 min | 1 h 5 min |
Introduction
These mango cheesecake bars give you all the rich, creamy cheesecake vibes with a bright tropical twist on top.
A buttery graham cracker crust, smooth vanilla cheesecake, and silky mango topping make every bite feel sunny and special.
They slice beautifully, travel well, and are perfect for potlucks, summer parties, or an easy make-ahead dessert.
Ingredients (16 servings)
Ingredients for Crust
Ingredients for the Cheesecake Layer
Ingredients for the Mango Topping
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How to Make Mango Cheesecake Bars
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Prepare the pan and heat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F with a rack in the center position.
Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides for lifting.
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Mix the graham cracker crust
In a medium bowl, stir together the crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter until evenly moistened.
Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan, creating an even layer that reaches all corners.
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Bake the crust
Bake the crust for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly golden and fragrant.
Set the pan on a wire rack to cool slightly while you prepare the cheesecake layer.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
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Make the cheesecake filling
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until completely smooth and fluffy.
Add the sugar and beat again until the mixture looks thick, creamy, and no sugar grains remain.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed and scraping the bowl between additions.
Mix in the vanilla and sour cream just until combined, avoiding overmixing which can add extra air bubbles.
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Bake the cheesecake layer
Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust and spread it into an even layer with a spatula.
Tap the pan gently on the counter a few times to help release any large air bubbles.
Bake at 325°F for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
Cool the pan on a rack until it reaches room temperature, then chill while you prepare the mango topping.
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Cook the mango topping
In a small saucepan, whisk together the mango purée, sugar, cornstarch, water, and lemon juice until no lumps remain.
Set the pan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture bubbles and thickens like a loose jam.
Remove from heat and stir in the butter until melted and glossy.
Let the mango topping cool to just warm, stirring occasionally so a skin does not form.
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Layer, chill, and slice the bars
Pour the warm mango topping over the chilled cheesecake layer and spread it gently into an even, smooth layer.
Refrigerate the pan for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until the cheesecake and topping are fully set.
Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab onto a cutting board, then cut into bars with a sharp knife.
Wipe the knife between cuts for the cleanest edges and the prettiest layers.
Substitutions
- Use vanilla wafer crumbs instead of graham crackers
- Vanilla wafer crumbs give the crust a slightly sweeter, more buttery flavor that pairs beautifully with mango. Use the same volume as graham crumbs and press very firmly so the softer cookies still hold together.
- Swap sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt
- Full-fat Greek yogurt adds a gentle tang and lightens the texture without making the cheesecake feel less rich. Drain any excess liquid from the yogurt so the batter stays thick and bakes evenly.
- Use fresh mango purée instead of canned
- Blending very ripe fresh mango with a splash of water gives a brighter, more tropical flavor in the topping. Strain the purée to remove fibers so the topping stays silky and slices cleanly with the cheesecake.
Tips
- Use room temperature dairy
- Softened cream cheese and room-temperature sour cream blend smoothly and prevent a lumpy batter. Cold ingredients resist mixing and can create pockets that bake unevenly.
- Do not overbake the cheesecake
- Pull the pan when the center still has a slight wobble, because it will finish setting as it cools. Overbaked cheesecake can taste dry and may crack more easily.
- Chill thoroughly before slicing
- Four hours is the minimum chill time, but overnight gives the cleanest slices and fully developed flavor. Cutting too soon can make the layers slump and look messy on the plate.
- Adjust sweetness to your mango
- Taste the mango purée before cooking and reduce the sugar slightly if your fruit is very sweet. Balanced sweetness keeps the cheesecake from feeling heavy after a few bites.
- Score before cutting bars
- Use a ruler to lightly mark even rows on top before cutting, which helps you get evenly sized bars. This looks especially nice if you are serving the bars for a party or potluck.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 280 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 4 | g |
| Total Fat | 17 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- How do I know when the cheesecake layer is baked enough?
- Look for edges that appear set and slightly puffed, while the center still wiggles a bit when you nudge the pan. If the entire surface is firm with no movement, it is likely overbaked.
- Can I make these mango cheesecake bars ahead of time?
- Yes, these bars are perfect make-ahead desserts and actually taste better after resting in the fridge. You can bake them up to two days in advance and keep them covered and chilled until serving.
- What if my crust is crumbling when I cut the bars?
- A crumbly crust usually means the mixture was not pressed firmly enough or did not have quite enough butter. Next time, pack the crumbs very tightly with the bottom of a measuring cup and bake the full time. For this batch, chill longer before cutting, which can help the crust hold together better.
- Can I freeze mango cheesecake bars?
- Yes, you can freeze the fully chilled bars by wrapping them tightly in plastic and then in foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator so the texture stays creamy and the topping does not weep.
- Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?
- Low-fat cream cheese will work, but the bars will be softer and may not slice as cleanly. For best structure and flavor, full-fat cream cheese is strongly recommended.
- Why did my mango topping turn cloudy or thick like paste?
- Overcooking the topping or using too much cornstarch can make it cloudy and overly stiff. Next time, cook just until it thickens and turns glossy, then remove it from the heat right away.
Serving Suggestions
These mango cheesecake bars bring bright tropical flavor and a creamy bite to everything from weeknight dinners to summer parties.
Pair them with hot coffee, iced tea, or a splashy mango spritzer, and garnish with fresh mango slices or mint.
For a fun twist, swirl a little extra mango purée into the cheesecake layer before baking for a marbled look.
More pairings:
Reviews
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Kimberly, Portland: Made these for a weeknight dinner dessert and they turned out great, super creamy with that bright mango topping. I added a little extra lemon juice to the mango layer for more tang and it was perfect!
: Happy these turned out creamy and bright for you, Kimberly! Extra lemon in the mango topping is a great way to dial up that tang.
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