Description
Creamy cheesecake squares with a buttery graham cracker crust and a caramelized pecan topping, perfect for an indulgent dessert that’s easy to share.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup sugar
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Bake crust for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool.
- In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and sour cream until well combined.
- Pour cheesecake mixture over cooled crust and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until center is set and edges are slightly golden.
- While cheesecake bakes, mix chopped pecans, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon until well coated.
- Once cheesecake is done, sprinkle pecan topping over it and return to oven for 5–7 minutes, until topping is golden and bubbly.
- Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares.
Notes
For a sweeter crust, swap graham crackers with crushed vanilla wafers.
Add a thin chocolate ganache layer between cheesecake and topping for a chocolate twist.
Mix a pinch of nutmeg into the topping for extra warmth.
Use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs for a gluten-free version.
Best stored chilled in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg