Caramel-Swirl Cheesecake Bars

When my husband orders dessert, he'll always go for something with caramel or cheesecake. Last year he asked for caramel cheesecake for his birthday. So I shouldn't have been the least bit surprised when he asked for mini caramel cheesecakes for his birthday this year. 

Well, I came up with a slightly different, but completely delicious, solution. Caramel-swirl cheesecake bars are easily transportable and can be eaten with your hands. I am all for anything that you can just pick up and stuff in your face. 

At the foundation of this treat is a crisp, buttery shortbread crust. If you don't love shortbread, you've completely lost your mind. The silky cheesecake is swirled through with ample amounts of sweet, amber-colored salted caramel. It's a creamy, crunchy dream. 

If you cut them small, you can feed a crowd. Or you and your sweetheart can devour the whole pan. If it's your birthday, you can do whatever you want. Trust me, you'll want to eat them all. 

Photos by Monica Szczupider