These Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars, also known as Churro Cheesecake Bars, inspired by the Mexican dessert made with fried dough called sopapillas, have a sweet, creamy cheesecake filling nestled between two crescent dough sheets, and are topped with a buttery cinnamon sugar topping with a drizzle of honey.
These are so good, these Mexican cheesecake bars are destined to become one of your favorite Desserts, especially Mexican Desserts!
Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are a crowd-pleasing dessert that is popular at potlucks, picnics, parties, reunions, especially Cinco De Mayo, and get-togethers of all kinds. In addition to being extremely popular, it is super easy to make.
Table of Contents
What Makes This Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Recipe Unique
- Cream Cheese: One of the differences in my recipe compared to some other popular ones is that I use 3 packages of cream cheese instead of 2 to give it a little extra creamy cheesecake goodness and to make the cheesecake layer a little taller and thicker.
- Butter: In addition, I use a little less butter in the topping because I found 1/4 cup was enough and 1/2 cup was a little too much for me.
- Honey: Lastly, I drizzle honey over the top of the cheesecake bars because it makes a nice presentation and tastes delicious.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Crescent Roll Sheets – I like to use the store-bought Pillsbury crescent dough sheets since they are so easy and you don’t have to worry about the pushing together perforations. However, you can make it with regular crescent rolls if you don’t care about perforations showing. The buttery cinnamon-sugar crust will hide those perforations.
- Softened Cream Cheese: It’s important to start with softened cream cheese in order to make a creamy cheesecake filling. If you just pull it out of the fridge and try to work with it, the cream cheese will be so rigid that you won’t be able to work with it.
- Pure Vanilla: I like to use Mexican Vanilla because of the delicious flavor and because it’s clear. However, you can use any brand of pure vanilla.
- Real Butter: I recommend using real butter instead of margarine for the best flavor and texture.

How To Make Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
First, Heat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 glass baking dish with cooking spray.
Next, roll out one crescent roll sheet in the bottom of a 9×13 pan.

In addition, I like to prebake the bottom crust to make sure it is cooked. Raw crescent roll dough is not something you want to taste. Trust me! It also prevents the crust from getting soggy.

In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, 1-1/2 cups of sugar and 1-1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.

Next, spread that creamy cheesecake goodness over the bottom crescent roll layer.

Unroll the second can of crescent rolls and stretch it out on top of cream cheese layer. Pinch together the perforation, if necessary.
Once crust is spread out, pour the melted butter evenly over top.
Most noteworthy, I also use 1/4 cup melted butter instead of a 1/2 cup because that was more than enough. It would be swimming in butter otherwise.
Stir together the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with the cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over butter.
Finally, bake about 35 minutes or until center is set.
Cool for about 20 minutes.
Refrigerate to allow the Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars to set and to make it easier to cut.

While this Sopapilla Cheesecake is sweet enough on its own, drizzling a little honey over it just before serving gives it a really nice presentation!

See the video above to learn how to make Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars.
Tips For Success
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Let the ingredients come to room temperature before starting the recipe. The cream cheese will lumpy and difficult to work with if it is too cold.
- Pre-Pinch Seams of Top Crust: To prevent the buttery cinnamon sugar from leaking through the crescent roll crust into the cheesecake layer, pinch the seams together BEFORE placing the crescent roll dough on top of the cheesecake layer.
- Even Distribution of Toppings: It’s important to distribute the melted butter and cinnamon sugar evenly over the top crust to ensure each cheesecake bar gets its share of the buttery cinnamon sugar mixture, churro topping.
- Cool Before Refrigerating: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain crust crispness.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the filling to set properly, making them easier to cut and serve.
Now that you have step by step instructions, give this recipe a try, and come back and leave a comment to let me know how you liked it!
Recipe
Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
- 2 packages refrigerated crescent rolls or sheets
- 3 8 ounce packages cream cheese
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- First, Heat oven to 350°F.
- Next, Spray a 9×13 glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- Then unroll 1 can of crescent roll dough and press into the bottom of the prepared 9×13 baking dish. Stretch it out to cover the bottom of the pan and pinch together the perforations. Don’t worry if it is not perfect, it will be covered up with the cheesecake layer.
- After that, pre-bake the bottom sheet in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 7 or 8 minutes.
- Next, in a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, 1-1/2 cups of sugar and 1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
- Then spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the pre-baked crescent dough in the baking dish.
- After that, unroll the second can of crescent rolls and stretch it out on top of cream cheese layer. Pinch together the perforations.
- Once crust is spread out, pour the melted butter evenly over top.
- Then stir together the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with the cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over butter.
- Finally, bake about 35 minutes or until center is set.
- Cool for about 20 minutes.
- Refrigerate to allow the Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars to set and to make it easier to cut.
Video
Nutrition
When To Serve Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
Serve Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars anytime! However, they are especially perfect for these occasions:
- Cinco De Mayo – This Mexican inspired dessert is perfect for your Cinco De Mayo party.
- Potlucks – These Cheesecake Bars are so easy and popular, you can take them to a potluck and leave with an empty dish.
- Holiday parties – These are perfect for the holidays. You can make them ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until you are ready to serve.
What To Serve With Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
- For a Cinco De Mayo Party, try serving Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars with these Mexican inspired recipes:
- Mango Habanero Wings – Sweet and spicy wings are perfect for any party.
- Tiajuana Shrimp Dip Nachos – Crispy tortilla chips are topped with a spicy, cheesy shrimp dip.
- Crockpot Chicken Tacos – Make it easy on yourself by serving these chicken tacos.
- Tex Mex Beef Fajitas – Be the hit of the party with these Beef Fajitas!
- For a Holiday Party, try serving Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars with these awesome appetizers:
- Peppermint White Hot Chocolate – Get the party started with a hot, minty chocolate beverage.
- Reindeer Popcorn Crunch – This sweet and salty snack mix is great for party snacking.

These Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars make perfect handheld desserts for a party, mini family reunion, or Mexican fiesta when served with some of my favorite Mexican Recipes like Tex-Mex Beef Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Instant Pot Refried Beans, and Mexican Street Corn Salad.
Other Cheesecake Bar Recipes
- Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake Bars – Creamy, crunchy, and pumpkin-y, these make a perfect fall dessert.
- Cherry Cheesecake Brownies – These over-the-top impressive brownies, are delicious anytime of year.
- Cranberry Streusel Cheesecake Bars – make a festive holiday party dessert.
More Mexican Dessert Ideas
- Instant Pot Mexican Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche) – This Instant Pot Mexican Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche in Spanish) is a sweet, creamy Mexican dessert that is quick and easy to make in an Instant Pot. With no eggs and sweetened condensed milk, this easy rice pudding will quickly become one of your family’s favorite desserts!
- Strawberry Margarita Pie – This awesome Strawberry Margarita Pie is sweet, smooth, and creamy with a pretzel crust. It is a no-bake pie that can be made the night before and will be a hit at the party!
- Churro Muffins – These mini Churro Muffins are sweet, buttery muffins covered in cinnamon sugar and make a delicious finger food dessert for a party!
- Frescas Con Crema – Fresas con Crema, also known as strawberries and cream, is a light, refreshing Mexican dessert with just 4 ingredients and takes mere minutes to prepare. This is quite possibly the easiest dessert you will ever make!
If you like these Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars, be sure to try my popular Strawberry Crumb Bars!
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Carrie says
So excited to try these! Can they be made ahead and frozen??
Michele says
Hi Carrie,
Yes, you can freeze these cheesecake bars for up to 3 months. To thaw, place them in the refrigerator overnight.
Thanks,
Michele
Elisa says
Hi! This looks delicious! I just have a question about the amount of sugar in the cheesecake part. Is that 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar? Or just 1/2 cup? Thanks!
Michele says
Hi Elisa,
Thanks for your question. In the cheesecake, that is 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar.
Thanks,
Michele
Lorri Corneal says
Hi Michele,
Having a work party tomorrow with a fajita bar. I think these would go perfect as a dessert. Worried about crescent roll getting soggy.. Can I make ahead & refrigerate overnight? If so, how long before should I take them out? Serve chilled or at room temp?
Thank You!
Lorri
Michele says
Hi Lorri,
If you prebake the crust, there will be less likely a chance for the crust to get soggy. You can bake the cheesecake ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Then allow it to come up to room temperature before serving. I hope you and your guests enjoy it!
Thanks,
Michele
Judy says
Will the bottom crust get hard or burn when you bake it a second time?
Michele says
Hi Judy,
No, it did not burn. If I didn’t pre-bake, sometimes the bottom crust could be undercooked.
THanks,
Michele
Monet says
Can you use a different kind of pan? I don’t have a glass one.
Michele says
Hi Monet,
Yes, you can use a metal or ceramic pan or whatever you have. It doesn’t have to be a glass one.
Thanks,
Michele
Raquel says
By “until the center is set” does that mean until it doesn’t jiggle when you shake it?
Michele says
Hi Raquel,
Yes, it does.
Thanks,
Michele
Brianna says
Hi Michele, I added ten minutes on the 35 mins for baking and the center is still jiggly. Is that alright or should I continue and hope it won’t burn?
Michele says
Brianna,
You can refrigerator it after it cools to help it set more.
Thanks,
Michele
Mike says
Do you let the baked bottom crust cool before adding the cream cheese filling?
Michele says
Hi Mike,
Yes, I let it cool while I work on the cream cheese filling.
Thanks,
Michele
Judy McNeely says
Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent rolls?
Michele says
Hi Judy,
Yes, you can use puff pastry and it will taste delicious.
Thanks,
Michele
Maelene says
I make these all the time for parties and guests, and it’s always a hit!! Thanks for your recipe!! This one is at the top of my sweets list!
Michele says
Hi Maelene,
I’m so glad that you and your guests love these Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars! Thanks for sharing.
Michele
Kim says
This has become a quick and easy crowd pleaser…fast favorite!!!