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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
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
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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Debbie says
This is one of my favorite desserts! I’ve made it many times but will start using the 3 packages of cream cheese. You can never have too much cheesecake! Thanks for sharing.
Michele says
Thanks for stopping by. I agree you can never have too much cheesecake!
Jessica says
So do you serve this chilled or hot? Does it get soggy if you make it too early?
Michele says
Hi Jessica, you could serve it either hot or chilled. I prefer it chilled. If you make it ahead of time, you would need to refrigerate it until you were ready to serve it.
Stephanie says
Thank you for my Thanksgiving desert that I am bringing to my in-laws house . They ate Hispanic so I am sure I will hit it out of the park with this !
Michele says
I’m so happy these Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars will be your Thanksgiving dessert. I’m sure they will love them.
Stephanie says
I am making this tonight to take to my in laws for Thanksgiving. They are Hispanic and I know i will get Extra Brownie points ! Wink wink Thank You.
Michele says
LOL! I hope they like it and you gets extra brownie points. That is always a good thing with the in-laws.
Brenda says
This dessert is perfect for potlucks! It is easier to transport and serve than conventional cheesecake, which used to be my “go to” when asked to bring dessert. I was searching among a number of recipes that were nearly identical until I found yours. I also learned that baking the crust first prevents it from being soggy and the time I made it this way, I returned home with an empty container and lots of compliments. But I couldn’t remember exactly what I had done, so thank you so much for posting your version! You were right in cutting down on the butter, too. I found it much less messy with no loss of flavor. I look forward to following Flavor Mosaic.. I felt simpatico when I read your bio as we share many interests.Thanks again for taking the time to share!
Michele says
Thank you so much Brenda for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’m so happy you like this version. Be sure to check out the other Flavor Mosaic recipes also!
Leslie says
I found this recipe in a last minute Google search for a dessert to bring to a housewarming today! Of course, being the responsible cook that I am, I had to sample before serving to my friends and, wow, I’m so excited to share this treat with everyone! I added extra cinnamon to the cream cheese and baked the top a little extra, because I have a thing for the taste of burnt sugar. Thank you for saving me from buying grocery store cupcakes for the hundredth time!!!
Michele says
I’m so glad you liked it! It is a great dessert to take to a gathering.
Laura says
Is that honey dripping off them in the picture?
Michele says
Yes. I drizzled honey over the top of them.
Tom Schroeder says
Do you pre-bake the top crust too or just the bottom crust?
Michele says
Hi Tom, you only need to pre-bake the bottom crust.
Victor says
I must have something wrong. The cream cheese filling was too sweet and the sugar sprinkling too thick. I used the specified amounts. Overall already too sweet for adding honey on top. And the idea of honey over cold pastry and cheese was not appetizing. If I warm it, the cheese melts. What can I change?
Michele says
Everyone has different taste preferences. This is a sweet dessert. If you find it too sweet for your taste, next time you make it, try reducing the sugar from 1-1/2 cups to 1 cup and reduce the cinnamon sugar topping by half. Only sprinkle on the amount that you think is appropriate. The honey is completely optional. If you think the Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars are sweet enough, just leave it off.
Rosalinda A Lopez says
I made this for the 1st time. Been wanting to for the longest. And it was DEEEEEEELISH followed recipe as above. Glad i made it Thanks ❤
Michele says
Hi Rosalinda,
I’m so glad that you liked it. Thanks letting me know. Be sure to check out our other delicious recipes too!
Thanks,
Michele
Leslie says
I’m really looking forward to making these! Can you use pie crust sheets instead of crescent rolls?
Michele says
Hi Leslie,
Great question. I have not tried pie crust sheets with this recipe but it should work. It will likely give the crust a different texture than with the crescent rolls. However, I think it should still taste good.
Thanks,
Michele
Chris says
When is the best time to drizzle the honey? While still hot/warm? After chilling, before slicing? Or over individual bars immediately before serving?
Michele says
Hi Chris,
I would recommend adding the honey immediately before serving.
Thanks,
Michele
Martina says
Just wondering how many portions there are in one recipe? That way I can follow the nutritional information. Thank you! Just made this and it looks amazing, it’s in the fridge chilling now.
Michele says
Hi Martina,
The nutrition information is based on 12 servings. If you wanted, you could cut them into as many as 16 pieces and that would reduce the calories, etc.
Thanks,
Michele
Rosemary says
Does the cream cheese have to be room temp or can I mix it still cold?
Michele says
Hi Rosemary,
Cold cream cheese is very difficult to work with. If it is softened, then it makes it a lot easier to work with.
Michele
Suzie says
It smells wonderful. I haven’t eaten any yet. I’m waiting for it to cool. I accidentally melted and used a whole stick of butter. I also wanted more cinnamon, so I doubled the cinnamon. The rest of the recipe I followed exactly as written. I can’t wait for it to be ready to eat. It looks and smells wonderful!!!
Suzie says
I’m glad that I doubled the cinnamon. the dessert was very good. its definitely going to be made again.