Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake Bars

Name: Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 8 h 25 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 1 package (16 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Ready to Bake!™ Sugar Cookie Dough (24 Count); 1 1/2 packages (8-oz size) cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup sugar; 2 eggs, room temperature; 1/2 cup strawberry tequila drink mix with real fruit; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon tequila; 1 teaspoon grated lime peel, if desired; 1 teaspoon orange juice or orange-flavored liqueur; 1 teaspoon vanilla, if desired

Prep time:20 min
Total time:8 hr 25 min
Ingredients:10
Servings:16

By Jocelyn Delk AdamsUpdated 04/28/2021

Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake Bars

Prep time:20 min
Total time:8 hr 25 min
Ingredients:10
Servings:16
Calories per serving:

These creamy cheesecake bars are inspired by a beachy cocktail. Make them family-friendly with orange juice!

Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake Bars

Prep time:20 min
Total time:8 hr 25 min
Ingredients:10
Servings:16

Ingredient

1 package (16 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Ready to Bake!™ Sugar Cookie Dough (24 Count)
1 1/2 packages (8-oz size) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup strawberry tequila drink mix with real fruit
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon tequila
1 teaspoon grated lime peel, if desired
1 teaspoon orange juice or orange-flavored liqueur
1 teaspoon vanilla, if desired

Instructions

Step 1
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.

Step 2
With floured fingers, break up cookie dough into pan; press evenly in bottom to form crust. (DO NOT EAT RAW COOKIE DOUGH AFTER PRESSING DOUGH IN PAN WITH FLOURED FINGERS.) Bake 15 minutes. Remove pan from oven; cool 10 minutes.

Step 3
While crust is cooling, in medium bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer on medium to high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time on medium speed until well blended. Add remaining ingredients; beat until smooth, scraping down side of bowl occasionally.

Step 4
Pour cream cheese mixture over cooled baked crust; spread evenly with spatula.

Step 5
Bake 40 to 50 minutes longer or until sides of cheesecake are firmly set but center jiggles slightly, checking doneness at 35 minutes. (Cheesecake center will firm up during cooling.) Cool about 2 hours or until completely cooled.

Step 6
Refrigerate bars at least 5 hours or overnight before serving for best results. With warm wet knife, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store in refrigerator.

Recipe Tips

For a more family friendly treat, feel free to omit the tequila and replace the orange liqueur with orange juice.
Garnish with fresh strawberries, lime zest and a sprinkle of sea salt for an authentic margarita feel.