Heavenly Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Cozy Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Recipe for Fall Magic

Fall baking reaches new heights with these irresistible pumpkin sopapilla cheesecake bars that blend creamy textures and warm spices.

Layers of buttery pastry cradle a rich, velvety pumpkin cheesecake filling that melts in your mouth.

Cinnamon sugar creates a delightful crunch on top, making each bite a sweet autumn symphony.

The recipe combines traditional Mexican dessert elements with classic American comfort flavors.

Crisp edges and a soft center make these bars the ultimate seasonal treat.

Spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon, these bars promise to become your new favorite dessert.

You won’t be able to resist these decadent, mouthwatering bars that capture the essence of fall in every single bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes In Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

For Base and Crust:
  • Crescent Roll Dough: Provides flaky, buttery foundation with golden crisp texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Butter: Enhances richness and helps create smooth, golden-brown surface for baking.
For Creamy Filling:
  • Cream Cheese: Delivers silky, tangy base with luxurious smooth consistency perfect for cheesecake texture.
  • Sugar: Balances cream cheese's tanginess and adds subtle sweetness throughout filling.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic depth and enhances overall flavor profile.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and creates stable, rich custard-like structure.
For Pumpkin Spice Topping:
  • Canned Pumpkin Puree: Introduces authentic autumn flavor with vibrant orange color and creamy texture.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, earthy spice characteristic of classic fall desserts.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Provides subtle, nutty undertone that complements pumpkin beautifully.
  • Ground Ginger: Contributes slightly sharp, zesty note to complete traditional pumpkin spice blend.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate, sweet dusting that adds elegant finishing touch.

Tools For Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

  • Baking Dish (9×13 inch): Essential for creating and baking the cheesecake bars.
  • Mixing Bowls: Medium-sized for combining ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending cream cheese and sugar without lumps.
  • Rubber Spatula: Helps scrape down bowl sides and mix ingredients evenly.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Cutting Board: Useful for slicing bars after baking.
  • Sharp Knife: Clean cuts through the bars for serving.

Steps To Make Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F, getting ready for some delicious baking magic.

  • Prepare the Baking Pan

Grab your rectangular dish and give it a quick spray or butter coating so nothing sticks.

  • Layer the First Pastry Sheet

Unroll the first sheet of crescent roll dough and press it smoothly into the bottom of the pan, creating a perfect golden base.

  • Mix the Creamy Filling

Whip together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until the mixture looks silky and smooth, with no lumps in sight.

  • Spread the Cheesecake Layer

Carefully spread the dreamy cream cheese mixture evenly across the pastry base, making sure every corner gets covered.

  • Top with Second Pastry Sheet

Gently place the second crescent roll sheet on top of the cheesecake layer, stretching it to cover completely.

  • Sprinkle the Sweet Topping

Drizzle melted butter over the top, then generously dust with a cinnamon-sugar blend that’ll caramelize into a crispy, sweet crust.

  • Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown color.

  • Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely, then cut into squares and serve. These treats are best enjoyed slightly chilled and shared with friends.

Tips To Add Flavor To Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

  • Make Ahead Magic: Prepare these bars a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and develop a richer taste profile.
  • Spice It Up: Experiment with different warm spices like cardamom or nutmeg to enhance the pumpkin's natural sweetness and create a more complex flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular crescent roll dough with gluten-free crescent roll dough or a gluten-free pie crust to make this dessert accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Vegan Transformation: Replace cream cheese with cashew cream cheese, use coconut oil instead of butter, and select a plant-based crescent roll dough to create a dairy-free and vegan-friendly version.
  • Topping Creativity: Top with candied pecans, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar to add extra texture and visual appeal to the bars.

How To Serve Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Right

  • Holiday Dessert Platter: Arrange the bars on a festive ceramic plate with cinnamon sticks and whole pecans scattered around for elegant presentation.
  • Warm Serving Delight: Slightly warm the bars in the oven for 2-3 minutes before serving to enhance the soft, gooey texture and release warm pumpkin aromas.
  • Elegant Topping Options: Drizzle with caramel sauce, sprinkle powdered sugar, or add a dollop of whipped cream to elevate the dessert's visual appeal and flavor complexity.
  • Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside hot coffee, spiced chai latte, or vanilla bean ice cream to complement the rich, seasonal pumpkin cheesecake bars.

Storage And Planning For Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

  • Quick Chill Method: Store these delightful bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their delectable texture and rich flavor profile.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to enjoy for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch up to 2 days in advance, keeping them covered and chilled until ready to serve. This strategy works perfectly for parties or family gatherings.
  • Room Temperature Tip: Allow chilled bars to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance their creamy texture and bring out the full depth of pumpkin and cinnamon flavors.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Heavenly Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Heavenly Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Spiced pumpkin sopapilla cheesecake bars deliver autumn comfort through layers of creamy filling and crisp pastry. Warm cinnamon and sweet pumpkin create a delightful Mexican-inspired dessert you’ll crave all season long.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (8 oz) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • 1 ½ tsps cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ginger
  • ¼ tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsps honey

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350F (175C), establishing an optimal baking environment with uniform heat distribution.
  2. Prepare Baking Surface: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with butter or cooking spray, ensuring effortless dessert removal.
  3. Create Base Layer: Carefully unfurl the crescent roll dough, pressing it into the prepared dish to form a seamless, edge-to-edge foundation.
  4. Craft Cream Cheese Filling: Whisk cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until achieving a velvety, lump-free consistency.
  5. Layer and Assemble: Spread the cream cheese mixture uniformly across the dough base, then delicately drape the second crescent roll sheet over the filling, sealing the edges completely.
  6. Prepare Topping: Blend melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar to create a fragrant, golden-hued coating for the dessert.
  7. Finish and Bake: Lavish the butter-spice mixture over the top layer, ensuring comprehensive coverage, then bake for 30-35 minutes until the surface transforms to a rich, amber-brown and edges become slightly effervescent.
  8. Cool and Serve: Allow the dessert to rest and stabilize at room temperature, then slice into elegant squares, serving either chilled or at ambient temperature.

Notes

  • Prevent Dough Sticking: Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to help unroll crescent dough smoothly without tearing.
  • Balance Cream Cheese Texture: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing to achieve a silky, lump-free filling that spreads evenly.
  • Control Moisture Levels: Pat the crescent roll dough with paper towels to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy bottom layers.
  • Customize Spice Intensity: Adjust cinnamon quantity to match personal taste preferences, adding nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for deeper flavor complexity.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 260 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star