Copycat Philadelphia Strawberry Cheesecake Snack Bars

Instructions

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1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. 2 For cheesecake crust, combine graham cracker crumbs with 4 tablespoons sugar, mix well, then add melted butter. Mix until all crumbs appear wet. Pour crust into the prepared pan and press flat against the bottom.
3. 3 Bake crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to set. Remove and allow crust to cool while making cheesecake.
4. 4 Preheat the oven to 315 degrees F (157 degrees C).
5. 5 For cheesecake, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar and mix well. Beat in 1 tablespoon vanilla, sour cream, and salt. Whisk 2 eggs in a bowl, and mix manually into cream cheese mixture (this introduces less air into the batter). Pour cheesecake batter onto cooled crust. Tent cheesecake pan with foil.
6. 6 Bake cheesecake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes; remove tent and rotate pan halfway through baking.
7. 7 Meanwhile, for strawberry filling, combine half of the diced strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Heat until strawberries produce juice and come to a bubble, reducing a little. Dissolve cornstarch in cold water; stir into the pan. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring a few times, then remove from heat and add remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and remaining strawberries (for a pop of freshness). Transfer to a heatproof bowl. Refrigerate for 4 hours or up to overnight.
8. 8 Remove cheesecake from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Use a knife to loosen edges from the sides of the pan. Continue to cool at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours more, then transfer to the refrigerator. Refrigerate 4 hours or up to overnight.
9. 9 Remove chilled cheesecake from pan and cut into 6 to 8 rectangles (one cut in half horizontally and 2 to 3 even vertical cuts). Feel free to remove edges of cheesecake before cutting into bars.
10. 10 Use a spoon to carve out a shallow strip of cheesecake in the center of each bar, not as deep as the crust. Add the strawberry filling to the strip.
11. 11 Place white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until completely melted. Cool white chocolate and add to a piping bag or resealable plastic bag, cut the tip, and drizzle white chocolate on top of each bar.