Colorful Party Dessert Bars (Printable Format)
Colorful cheesecake bars with rainbow swirls and a graham cracker crust. Perfect party dessert that's as fun to make as it is to eat!
# What You'll Gather:
→ Graham Cracker Crust
01 -
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
02 -
1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 -
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Cheesecake Filling
04 -
16 oz cream cheese, softened
05 -
2/3 cup granulated sugar
06 -
2 large eggs
07 -
1 tsp vanilla extract
08 -
1/2 cup sour cream
→ Colors
09 -
Food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple)
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 -
Preheat oven to 325°F and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This makes removal so much easier later!
02 -
Mix graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter until it looks like wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom of your pan and bake for 8 minutes. Let it cool while you make the filling.
03 -
Beat that softened cream cheese until it's perfectly smooth - no lumps! Add the 2/3 cup sugar and mix well. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and sour cream.
04 -
Divide your cheesecake mixture into six small bowls. Add a different food coloring to each bowl - think rainbow order! Start with a tiny bit and add more until you get the colors you love.
05 -
Drop spoonfuls of each colored batter over the crust, alternating colors to create a rainbow pattern. Use a toothpick or knife to gently swirl everything together for that marble effect.
06 -
Bake for 35-40 minutes until the center is just set but still slightly jiggly. Don't overbake! Cool completely at room temperature, then chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
07 -
Cut into bars using a clean, sharp knife. Wipe the knife between cuts for the cleanest slices. Serve chilled and watch everyone's face light up!
# Important Tips:
01 -
Gel food coloring gives much more vibrant colors than liquid food coloring without thinning the batter.
02 -
Make sure your cream cheese is completely softened to avoid lumps in your filling - leave it out for a few hours beforehand.
03 -
Chilling overnight gives you the cleanest cuts and best texture, so resist the urge to cut them too early!
04 -
These bars are perfect for any celebration - they're like a party in dessert form!