Aloha Dreams
Fabulous Recipes, Cooking for a Crowd, & Dream Home Design
Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
We have a wonderful group of neighbors who gather regularly for dinner parties — three couples who share good food, laughter, and the kind of helpfulness you wish every neighborhood had. Their names are Dawn, Bill, Dianne, and Dick, and they are every bit as kind as they seem.
One evening after a long vacation, we returned home to find a large tree had fallen across our driveway during a storm. To our surprise, our neighbors had already cut the tree into logs, hauled the pieces away, swept the driveway, and trimmed the damaged magnolia. That kind of thoughtful action is what these dinners are about — friendship, community, and generosity.
We’ve enjoyed these monthly gatherings for over a decade — thirteen years and counting — from casual pizza nights on the lawn to elegant multi-course dinners. Many of the best meals I’ve ever had were at this table, and over time I’ll be sharing more of those recipes here.
Our most recent get-together fell on Cinco de Mayo. Dawn and Bill hosted and Dawn prepared a festive menu that included chicken tortilla soup, white cheese queso and chips, Baja fish tacos, tequila lime chicken tacos, Mexican street corn nachos, and the dessert I’m sharing here: Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars.
Planning on starting outside Friday at 7 p.m., so dress accordingly! Pool will be open, but not heated…. Cinco de Mayo Menu: Chicken Tortilla Soup, White Cheese Queso and Chips, Baja Fish Tacos, Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos, Mexican Street Corn Nachos, Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars.
These bars are quick, family-friendly, and perfect for celebrations like Cinco de Mayo. Kids can help assemble them, and they bake up into a sweet, layered treat that blends flaky pastry with a creamy cheesecake center and a buttery cinnamon-sugar topping.
About Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
A sopapilla is traditionally a fried pastry popular in regions with Spanish influence, especially in parts of Mexico and the American Southwest. This version is an easy, baked interpretation that recreates the taste and texture in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Cut into 18 squares (3 by 6) for a crowd-pleasing dessert. Stored, covered, in the refrigerator, they keep well for a day; the flavor actually deepens overnight.
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Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars — Recipe
Yield: 18 servings (9 x 13 inch pan). Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook Time: 35 minutes. Total Time: 45 minutes.
Summary: Made in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and sliced into 3 x 6 squares. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Delicious the first day, outstanding on day two.
Ingredients
- 2 (8 ounce) cartons cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar (for cream cheese filling)
- 2 (8 ounce) tubes crescent rolls (sheets work best — one as a base and one on top)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sugar (for topping)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
Equipment
- 9″ x 13″ baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar and the vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Unroll the crescent dough and shape it into rectangles that fit the 9″ x 13″ pan. Press one sheet of dough into the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Bake the bottom sheet for 5 minutes. Remove it from the oven and evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the partially baked dough, then cover with the remaining sheet of dough.
- In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup sugar, the cinnamon, and the softened butter until combined. Dot or spread this mixture over the top layer of dough.
- Bake until the dough is puffed and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting into 3 rows by 6 rows for 18 bars.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to one day. Bars are good the day they’re made and become even more flavorful the next day.
Serving Ideas
These bars are wonderful on their own, but a light drizzle of honey or a dollop of whipped cream complements them nicely. Serve chilled or at room temperature. They’re ideal for potlucks, family dinners, and holiday gatherings.
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