Name: Vanilla Cheesecake Bars with Caramel Mousse
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 16 bars
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2.63 cups granulated sugar; 1.25 teaspoons salt; 0.125 tsp cream of tartar; 1 tbsp water; 6.75 tablespoons unsalted butter; 0.25 cup heavy cream; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 0.75 tsp unflavored gelatin powder; 1 cup heavy cream; 3.3 cups graham crackers; 24 ounces cream cheese; 0.75 cup mascarpone; 2 eggs

Vanilla Cheesecake Bars with Caramel Mousse

Vanilla Cheesecake Bars with Caramel Mousse cover

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Vanilla Cheesecake Bars with Caramel Mousse

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Ingredients

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Instructions

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Instructions

Start by making the caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar, salt, cream of tartar, and 15g of water. Heat over medium high heat, swirling (not stirring) often to encourage even cooking. When it comes to a boil reduce heat to medium.

When the color turns an even medium amber color remove from heat and add the butter one tablespoon at a time, whisking to combine. Whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla. Allow to cool for a few minutes before pouring into a bowl.

Bloom the gelatin by combining the powder with one tablespoon of water. Stir into the slightly cooled caramel. Transfer caramel to a glass jar and place in the fridge overnight or until cooled and ready to use.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper.

In a food processor, blend together the graham crackers, brown sugar, melted butter, and salt.

Transfer the crust to the prepared pan and pack it in with a measuring cup or the back of a spoon.

Bake the crust for 8 minutes. Once the crust is done, turn the oven down to 325 degrees F.

While the crust bakes, make the filling. Beat together the cream cheese, mascarpone, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add the eggs and beat until fully combined, but do not over-mix. Pour the filling over the crust.

Fill a large baking dish with water and place in the oven on the rack below the cheesecake. Bake the cheesecake for 40 minutes. Do not open the oven at any point. After 40 minutes, turn the oven off and keep the cheesecake in the oven for another 20 minutes. Then, take the cheesecake out and allow to cool completely before placing in the fridge overnight.

To finish the caramel mousse, melt the caramel sauce in the microwave in 20 second intervals (if it was refrigerated overnight). Allow to cool back down to room temp before adding to the whip cream.

Whip the 340g of heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold in the caramel sauce.

Top the cheesecake with the caramel mousse, cut into small squares, and enjoy!

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Room Temperature Ingredients 🌡️
Bring cream cheese and mascarpone to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling that blends seamlessly with other ingredients.
Water Bath Precision 💧
Bake the cheesecake layer in a water bath at 325°F to maintain gentle, even heat and prevent cracks—wrap your pan in foil to keep water from seeping in.
Gelatin Blooming Technique 🫧
Bloom gelatin in cold water for 5 minutes before adding warm liquid to ensure it dissolves completely and creates a perfectly set mousse without lumps.
Cream of Tartar Stabilizer ✨
Whip heavy cream with a pinch of cream of tartar to create more stable peaks that hold their structure longer, especially important for mousse layering.
Crust Compaction Secret 🥣
Press graham cracker crust firmly and evenly using the bottom of a measuring cup, then chill for 15 minutes before adding filling to prevent it from crumbling into the cheesecake layer.