Name: Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients: 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough; 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping); 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These bars are the perfect mix of creamy, flaky, and sweet. With minimal prep and everyday ingredients, they’re easy enough for a weeknight dessert but impressive enough for a party. The layers of crescent rolls and cheesecake filling make them irresistible, while the cinnamon-sugar topping gives a warm, comforting flavor.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Refrigerated crescent roll dough
Cream cheese, softened
Granulated sugar
Vanilla extract
Butter, melted
Ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of the prepared dish.
In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough layer.
Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and place it on top of the cream cheese layer.
Pour melted butter over the top layer of dough.
Mix sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars. Chill for best results.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 12–16 bars. Prep time is 15 minutes, baking time is 30–35 minutes, and cooling takes about 1 hour.

Variations

Add a drizzle of honey over the bars for extra sweetness.
Mix in a little lemon or orange zest into the cream cheese filling for a citrusy twist.
Use puff pastry instead of crescent rolls for a flakier texture.
Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the filling for extra flavor.
Use brown sugar in the topping for a deeper caramel-like taste.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving. These bars are best served chilled, so reheating is not necessary.

FAQs

What are sopapillas?

Sopapillas are a fried pastry popular in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, often served with honey or cinnamon sugar.

Can I use homemade dough instead of crescent rolls?

Yes, but crescent roll dough makes the recipe quick and easy.

Do these bars need to be refrigerated?

Yes, because of the cream cheese filling, they should be kept chilled.

Can I make them ahead of time?

Absolutely, they taste even better after chilling overnight.

Can I cut the recipe in half?

Yes, use an 8×8-inch baking dish and half the ingredients.

How do I get clean slices?

Chill the bars completely and use a sharp knife, wiping between cuts.

Can I use reduced-fat cream cheese?

Yes, but full-fat cream cheese gives the richest flavor.

Can I add toppings after baking?

Yes, drizzle with honey, caramel, or chocolate sauce once cooled.

Do they taste like cheesecake or sopapillas?

They’re a delicious mix of both—the creamy cheesecake filling with the sweet, buttery, cinnamon topping mimics sopapilla flavors.

Can I serve them warm?

Yes, but they hold their shape better when chilled.

Conclusion

Sopapilla cheesecake bars are a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s creamy, flaky, and full of cinnamon-sugar goodness. With simple ingredients and easy steps, this recipe delivers bakery-style flavor without the fuss. Whether for a family gathering, holiday party, or weeknight indulgence, these bars are sure to become a favorite.