Austrian Cream Cheese Bars
A delicious dessert featuring a buttery crumb crust, creamy cream cheese layer, and chocolate chips, perfect for entertaining or satisfying sweet cravings with a nutty crunch.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter or margarine.
- Beat at medium speed about 2 minutes or until crumbly and well blended.
- Press the mixture into an ungreased 9 x 13-inch pan to form the crust.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust after it has cooled slightly.
- Sprinkle 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle half of the chocolate chips over the top.
- Bake until the filling is set and the chocolate chips are melted, about 25-30 minutes.
- Allow to cool before cutting into bars and serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using unsalted butter instead of margarine. You can substitute the pecans or walnuts with almonds or hazelnuts for a different twist. If you prefer a sweeter filling, you might add a bit more sugar to the cream cheese mixture. Ensure that the cream cheese is at room temperature to achieve a smooth consistency when mixing.
Serving Suggestions
These Austrian Cream Cheese Bars are delightful on their own but can be served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence. They pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For a festive touch, serve them as part of a dessert platter alongside Simply Heavenly Strawberry Pie or other sweet treats.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, place the cream cheese bars in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage; just wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. To reheat, warm them in the oven at a low temperature until slightly softened or enjoy them cold straight from the fridge.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Austrian Cream Cheese Bars contains roughly 402 calories, with 5g protein, 47g carbohydrates, and 23g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (12% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (12% of the Daily Value), and protein (10% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of cream cheese?
While cream cheese is ideal for its texture and flavor, you can use mascarpone or ricotta as substitutes. However, the taste and consistency may vary slightly, so keep that in mind when making adjustments.
What can I do if the crust is too crumbly?
If your crust mixture is too crumbly, try adding a tablespoon of cold water or milk at a time until it holds together better. Ensure that the butter is properly softened to help with binding the ingredients together.
How do I know when the filling is set?
The filling is set when it no longer jiggles in the center and has a slightly firm texture. You can also check by gently pressing the surface with a finger; it should feel firm and not sticky. Keep an eye on the edges to avoid over-baking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).