Irish Coffee Cheesecake Squares are a lighter alternative to regular cheesecake, and they have a hint of coffee and whiskey just to keep it all interesting!
Once I had the first batch of my Homemade Irish Cream in the fridge, I set about dreaming up ways to use it, and so these Irish Coffee Cheesecake Bars were born. These are simple, straight up cheesecake bars, with the requisite super creamy texture and buttery crust…but lets just say these are cheesecake bars with benefits…like hits of caffeine and whiskey, just to make sure you’re paying attention. The coffee and whiskey flavors cut the sweetness in these bars just a bit, making it feel less heavy than some cheesecakes can be. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Cheesecake in any form is a bit underrepresented on this blog, so I’ve set about remedying that with these cheesecake bars. Cheesecake in bar form is a lot more user friendly than a giant cake, and the smaller portions suit the rich flavor combination and texture in this recipe. If you don’t have a batch of my homemade Irish Cream, you can always substitute some whiskey-spiked heavy cream or half and half.
This recipe calls for instant, or powdered, espresso. You can find powdered espresso in small jars right in the same area as regular coffee in your grocery store. It’s great for baking because it dissolves instantly and gives whatever you are making a nice deep coffee flavor.
I’m a big fan of all desserts in bar-form. If you love a good cheesecake bar like me, but prefer the no-bake variety, definitely check out my No Bake Raspberry Cheesecake Bars, or my No Bake Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Squares, too!
NOTE: recipe adapted from Bake or Break.
Irish Coffee Cheesecake Squares
Ingredients
crust
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- pinch salt
filling
- 16 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Homemade Irish Cream
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 Tbsp instant espresso powder not ground coffee
- 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
garnish
- sweetened whipped cream
- shaved chocolate
Instructions
- Set oven to 350F
- To make the crust, cream the butter and sugar and then blend in the flour and salt until the mixture is crumbly. Pat into a buttered 9x13 pan, pressing down slightly with your fingers to get an even layer.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Make the filling by creaming the cream cheese and sugar together. Make sure your ingredients are at true room temperature to avoid a lumpy batter.
- Beat in the homemade Irish Cream, and then the eggs, one at a time.
- Blend in the instant espresso, cocoa powder, vanilla, and flour.
- Turn the batter out onto the crust and smooth out evenly.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes just until the cheesecake is set.
- Let cool before slicing.
- Serve with whipped cream, and garnish with shaved chocolate.
36 Comments
Denise
July 16, 2020 at 6:02 pmHi Sue, May I make this cheesecake in a traditional 9 inch spring form pan. Is there enough crust and filling for that type of pan. Thank you
Sue
July 16, 2020 at 6:13 pmGosh Denise, I can’t really say for sure how this would do in a spring form pan, the cheesecake is a little lighter than a regular cheesecake, so not sure how it would behave in a thicker format. Sorry I can’t be more definitive.
Ruth
March 13, 2019 at 8:21 amMade these for St Patricks Day last year and they were a huge hit with everybody, I’m making them again this year, thank you for the recipe!
Sue
March 13, 2019 at 8:32 amThanks Ruth, enjoy!
Rosemary Wolbert | Sprigs of Rosemary
June 12, 2016 at 4:01 amYou are so creative! Cheesecake in any shape or form has my name on it — add Irish coffee, well, I’m done for!
Betty
March 20, 2015 at 9:30 pmLucky for me, I DO have a batch of your homemade Irish Cream! Well, maybe a part of a batch. 🙂 I have to admit I may have “spilled” a wee bit more of the Irish Whiskey into my recipe than was called for. These bars look fabulous! 🙂
Sue
March 20, 2015 at 9:40 pm🙂
Kate
March 19, 2015 at 2:05 pmI’ve never seen a better way to devour Irish coffee! Delicious!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
March 19, 2015 at 12:28 pmSue, I wish I had a square of that right now for my husand and me to fight over … er, I mean … share! 😀
grace
March 19, 2015 at 7:43 ami make my stepdad a cheesecake for his birthday every year, and he would LOVE this one. some of his favorite things include espresso, chocolate, booze (in moderation), plus he’s irish! 🙂
Sue
March 19, 2015 at 7:50 amI think this is right up his alley 🙂
[email protected]+Riffs
March 18, 2015 at 1:59 pmLove cheesecake. Love Irish cream. Love this. Get the picture? 😉 Really excellent — thanks.
Sippitysup
March 18, 2015 at 9:24 amOh, I’m paying attention alright. GREG
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty
March 18, 2015 at 7:27 amGood gracious, these look incredible. Totally worth extending the holiday through the end of the week (or, um, month, even?!).
[email protected]'s+Recipes
March 17, 2015 at 9:53 pmThat’s a perfect dessert for St. Patrick’s Day, Sue.
Thalia @ butter and brioche
March 17, 2015 at 8:39 pmI bet these irish coffee cheesecake squares didn’t last for very long.. they look SO delicious. The perfect dessert for St. Pat’s!
Kitchen Belleicious
March 17, 2015 at 7:50 pmwhisky and coffee are great together but add in the cheesecake and you just made one heck of a dessert! WOW
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine
March 17, 2015 at 6:51 pmWhat a fantastic version of humble old cheesecake Sue! I love it and love you pictures, so enticing!
cheri
March 17, 2015 at 6:33 pmHi Sue, I love Irish coffee and these look so delicious. Beautiful presentation!
Ashley
March 17, 2015 at 4:47 pmOh goodness this looks so creamy and dreamy! I rarely make cheesecake at home … but irish coffee? Now that I can definitely get behind!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
March 17, 2015 at 4:32 pmWhat makes you think I want a small piece? These are so beautiful and creamy and I bet the coffee really shines! Wonderful recipe Sue 🙂
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida
March 17, 2015 at 3:43 pmThis looks amazing! I went for something sort of greenish for St. Pat’s and made a Key Lime Cheesecake. It was delicious, but I think I like your idea better.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
March 17, 2015 at 3:13 pmHow did you know I was craving cheesecake square? 😉 These look simply divine!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
March 17, 2015 at 2:14 pmIf you required that people dance a jig for a piece of this the whole room would be dancing. 🙂 It’s lovely!
Sue
March 17, 2015 at 2:53 pmHaha! Happy St. Paddy’s Day Maureen!
[email protected]+This+is+How+I+Cook
March 17, 2015 at 1:59 pmHappy St Paddie’s Day! You’ve done a fabulous job with it! Your recipes have been glorious. Looks like now it’s time to celebrate!
Sue
March 17, 2015 at 2:10 pmThat’s just what I’m doing, Abbe — sipping a bit of my Irish Cream for starters!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
March 17, 2015 at 12:37 pmCoffee, whiskey and cheesecake? I’m in!! 🙂
Judith
March 17, 2015 at 12:21 pmJust when I thought it was safe to have only the one treat for St. Paddy’s Day! This looks heavenly, Sue.
Barbara
March 17, 2015 at 11:02 amI’ve been pinning things like crazy from your posts recently, Sue! This one went right into my St Paddy’s day board. Unlike you, I do like cheesecake things, don’t make them often, but actually made one yesterday with rhubarb. More crumble than cheesecake, while this one is more cheesecake than crust. Fine with me….I’d love it. Never could figure out why I like coffee in desserts but never drink it in the morning. Or ever, actually. I’m an iced tea person.
Sue
March 17, 2015 at 11:26 amCan’t wait for your crumble…it will go straight to my rhubarb board 😉
Monica
March 17, 2015 at 10:25 amThat just looks absolutely dreamy, Sue!
PurpleQueen
March 17, 2015 at 8:49 amAs always, a fun post! Can I use Bailey’s as a substitute for the home made Irish Cream?
Sue
March 17, 2015 at 9:49 amYou know, I think I would combine the Bailey’s with some cream or half and half, just to be safe.
PurpleQueen
March 17, 2015 at 1:07 pmThank you!
Monique
March 17, 2015 at 6:33 amWow….not green.. Bailey’s.. and cream cheese;)