Vanilla Cheesecake Bars with Chai Whipped Cream: These creamy vanilla cheesecake bars are rich, delicious, and topped with a homemade chai whipped cream!
Have you seen that high-larious Dirty Dancing commercial? The one where “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” comes on and the lady attempts to swan dive into her husband’s arms, but he’s 100% unprepared and drops her on the table?
It kills me. Every. Single. Time.
The commercial was so unexpected, and plus, I’m such a girl and I adore the movie, so I love anything even remotely related to it. I mean, I actually own the soundtrack on vinyl, and when I found it at the record store, I’m pretty sure I actually squealed. Out loud.
Kimmy Gibbler first introduced me to Patrick Swayze (of course, it wasn’t until a few years later that I actually saw the movie). Kimmy always had it right though, didn’t she? She truly was the best character–full of hilarious insults and crazy fashion ensembles.
I’ll forever be grateful to Kimmy for that introduction, because the movie is the quintessential girl’s night in chick flick. It’s romantic, a little dramatic, and I think, at some level, we all can relate to Baby’s famous “I carried a watermelon” line when she first meets Johnny (I don’t even want to think about what I would have said in that situation–BUT I’m pretty sure it would have been equally awkward and moronic).
Cheesecake is the perfect addition to any chick flick. In fact, it might even be the main event. Sorry, Patrick.
It’s the ultimate comfort food, as Rachel and Chandler proved to us by eating something like 3 whole cheesecakes in the span of a week.
Nobody puts Baby in a corner? No, nobody puts cheesecake in a corner.
Why? Because it’s the life of the party. Plain and simple.
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 4 Tbsp sugar
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 12 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 3 eggs room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 Tbsps vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 Tbsp instant Chai
- 2-3 Tbsp powdered sugar
- Cinnamon optional
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Mix melted butter, sugar, and graham cracker crumbs together. Once combined, press crust into an 7x11 baking pan. Set aside.
- Beat cream cheese and sour cream until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Slowly add in sugar and cream until combined. Add in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in vanilla and mix. Pour cheesecake filling over crust.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until cheesecake center is set (the cheesecake is done when the center is still slightly jiggly--it will firm as it cools). With the oven off and the door cracked ajar, allow the cheesecake to sit for 30 minutes to an hour (this will help prevent cracks in the cheesecake). Once it has reached room temperature, refrigerate until cold.
- For the whipped cream, beat heavy cream on med-high until soft peaks begin to form, about 2-3 minutes. Add chai and powdered sugar and beat until the cream reaches stiff peaks, about 1-2 minutes more.
- Once the cheesecake is cold, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon if desired!
- Enjoy!
My favorite products used in this recipe:
Check out my other similar recipes:
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
Cranberry Cinnamon Spiced Cheesecake Bars
Cheesecake Stuffed Carrot Cake Bread
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
These look dreamy!
Jana says
Wow! This cheesecake is to die for! Chai whipped cream sounds so delicious!
Diana says
Oh my goodness, I totally want some right now! Cheesecake is my favorite! And yes! That commercial is seriously my favorite!
Tanya says
OMG dirty dancing used to be my favorite movie ever! Cheesecake is for sure the best girls night dessert!
Cailee says
Your so cute! Glad you love the movie! I’ve never actually seen it… but I def need to! 🙂 Also, these look amazing!! All these cheesecake recipes do! Thanks for sharing!!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
OMG! I know that commercial! It is so funny to me. I love it! And I love these bars! Chai whipped cream? yum!
Tina Jui | The Worktop says
I’d love a spoonful of chai whipped cream right now after seeing your post. Of course, much better if it were on a cheesecake 😉 Delicious!
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
Oh yeah, it’s the life of the party indeed! I love this chai whipped cream – what a fun twist!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
That commercial is one of my favorites! And I can recite pretty much every single line from Dirty Dancing, as it’s one of my all-time faves! These cheesecake bars are definitely perfect to indulge in while watching some chick flicks. And I absolutely LOVE that chai whipped cream!
Mary Frances says
Scoop me all the whipped cream! I had a chai latte the other day and realized how much I LOVE chai. These bars look so creamy and rich and that dusting of cinnamon is perfection! Pinned!
Lily Lau says
These sound beyond delicious, I totally need to try them as soon as possible 🙂
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
These. Bars. Can I sign up to be your taste tester? They look great!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
These look incredible! Love the chai whipped cream!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
GAH is all I have to say about these cheesecake beauties! That and the simple word, GIMME! Seriously swooning over that chai whipped cream!
Katie @The Semisweet Sisters says
Yum! Your cheesecake bars look perfect! I’m such a huge fan of Dirty Dancing too! It’s such a classic chick flick. That’s pretty neat that you have the soundtrack on vinyl!
Kris {Driven by Decor} says
Fellow Dirty Dancing here too – have seen it way more times than I should probably fess up to. And that commercial…”I came in too hot” ‘ lol. These cheesecake bars look amazing!!
Pam @ Simple Details says
You had me at Chai Spiced Whipped Topping!! This looks delish, Michelle, as do all your other recipes. I need to try the stuffed carrot bread! Thanks so much for sharing at Best of the Nest!
luda says
I love this recipe! Keep making and baking so everyone can enjoy!