Ube recipe · Desserts
Ube Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Creamy, naturally purple ube cheesecake bars on a buttery graham cracker crust — easier than a whole cheesecake.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook / chill
- 280 min
- Total
- 300 min
- Serves
- 16 bars
These ube cheesecake bars have a buttery graham cracker crust and a thick, creamy, naturally purple filling. They are easier than a round cheesecake — no water bath — and cut into neat squares for sharing.
How to get a smooth ube cheesecake
Use room-temperature cream cheese and eggs, and mix on low speed so you do not beat in air. Blooming Kapsoo ube powder in warm milk first keeps the filling silky and evenly colored.
Why bake at a low temperature?
Baking at 325°F and pulling the bars when the center still jiggles slightly prevents cracks and gives a creamy texture once chilled.
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 325°F and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
Step 2
Mix the graham crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Press firmly into the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Step 3
Whisk the ube powder with the warm milk into a smooth paste.
Step 4
Beat the cream cheese and sugar on low speed until smooth. Mix in the ube paste, sour cream and vanilla, then the eggs one at a time, just until combined.
Step 5
Pour the filling over the crust and bake for 30–35 minutes, until the edges are set and the center still jiggles slightly.
Step 6
Cool in the pan for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before cutting into 16 bars.
Tips & variations
- Wipe the knife clean between cuts for neat bars.
- Swirl 3 tbsp ube halaya on top before baking.
- Keeps up to 5 days in the fridge.
Ube Cheesecake Bars: FAQ
How do you make ube cheesecake?
Mix cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, vanilla, eggs and an ube paste made from ube powder and warm milk, pour over a graham crust and bake at 325°F.
Why did my ube cheesecake crack?
Usually from overbaking or overmixing. Bake just until the center jiggles and mix on low speed.
Can I make a whole ube cheesecake with this recipe?
Yes. Double the recipe and bake in a 9-inch springform pan in a water bath for about 60 to 70 minutes.
How long do ube cheesecake bars keep?
Up to 5 days in the fridge, or 2 months in the freezer, well wrapped.
