These gluten-free strawberry basil margarita cheesecake squares are the ultimate refreshingly sweet and creamy gluten-free dessert. With hints of lime and a splash of tequila, along with fresh chopped basil and strawberries, these cheesecake bites will blow your mind with every sweet and zesty bite!
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Best Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake Bars!
I need light and refreshing in the heat of the Summer!
Okay, so maybe I have something for anyone who is feeling the same way as me today.
Margaritas. Yeah, let's talk margaritas for a sec.
Are they refreshing? Yes.
Are they light and perfect to sip by the pool on a hot summer day. Absolutely.
Could I potentially turn the popular cocktail into some sort of amazing dessert? I wasn't sure.
But what I was sure about was that it would be a boozy experiment and I was up for that challenge!
While in the midst of this experiment (with sticky fingers and a slight buzz) I thought that maybe I should go one step further and not only make a gluten-free margarita cheesecake square, but make my favorite strawberry basil margarita into a cheesecake square!
So then I started over again and went to work on these gluten-free strawberry basil margarita cheesecake squares.
And it isn't the booze talking when I say that these little bars are too good not to make!
Cheesecake Bar Ingredients:
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 ¼ cup GF graham cracker crumbs, or GF animal cracker crumbs
- 16 oz . GF cream cheese, room temp
- sugar
- lime juice
- smashed strawberries
- chopped basil
- GF tequila, depends on your drinking tastes!
- heavy cream
- 2 eggs, room temp
- handful of basil leaves and and halved strawberries for garnish
I really like having fresh chopped basil and sweet strawberry chunks in the cheesecake itself, and then of course more basil and strawberry pieces on top of each cute square because can you really have too much basil and strawberry?
You can have too much margarita... so don't go that route.
And speaking around that same topic, you can use more or less (or none) of the tequila.
These squares still taste margarita-y with any amount of tequila added, but the tequila does add a touch of zest (and so does the lime!).
How To Make Gluten-Free Cheesecake Bars:
Make the crust: Combine the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs in a mixing bowl until well combined. Firmly pack the crust mixture into the bottom of your pan.
Make the Cheesecake Filling: Beat the sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Add in the lime juice, tequila, and heavy cream, and beat the eggs into the mixture last. Pour into the pan on top of the crust and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Chill your Creation: Place in the fridge for 2-4 hours or until completely chilled.
When Ready To Serve: Cut into squares and place basil leaves and strawberries on top.
Recipe Pairings:
May I suggest a margarita? Try one of these two favorite margaritas!
Other Gluten-Free Desserts to Try:
Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars
Gluten-Free Strawberry Basil Margarita Cheesecake Squares
These gluten-free strawberry basil margarita cheesecake squares are the ultimate refreshingly sweet party carb. With hints of lime and a splash of tequila, along with fresh chopped basil and strawberries, these cheesecake bites will blow your mind with every sweet and zesty bite!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 ¼ cup GF graham cracker crumbs, or GF animal cracker crumbs
- 16 oz . GF cream cheese, room temp
- ½ cup sugar
- 4 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 tablespoon smashed strawberries
- ½ tablespoon chopped basil
- 2-4 tablespoon GF tequila, depends on your drinking tastes!
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- 2 eggs, room temp
- leaves handful basil and strawberry halves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350*F.
- Line a 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pan with tin foil and spray with GF cooking spray.
- Combine the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs in a mixing bowl until well combined. Place this mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and firmly pack and shape the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan.
- Beat together the sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Add in the lime juice, tequila, and heavy cream until well blended. Beat the eggs into the mixture, and then fold in the smashed strawberries carefully last.
- Place the cream cheese mixture into the pan on top of the crust and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges of the cake are solid and the middle is still slightly jiggly.
- Place in the fridge for 2-4 hours or until completely chilled.
- Cut into squares and place a basil leaf and a strawberry half on each square.
- Served chilled and with your favorite margarita!
Recipe Summary:
If you make these Gluten-Free Cheesecake Squares, let me know in the comments! Enjoy enjoy enjoy!
Also- be sure to follow me on Instagram and hashtag #BlessHerHeartYall or tag @BlessHerHeartYall – I love seeing and hearing the delicious things you make!
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This post was first published on June 20, 2016 and last updated on July 25, 2020.
These look amazing. Yum! xo ~ Megan The Fashionista Momma
Oh these are always a big hit whether at a party or on your kitchen counter! 🙂