These Funfetti Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bars are a colorful, creamy, and festive dessert that brings pure joy to any occasion. With a buttery graham cracker crust, luscious vanilla bean cheesecake filling, and cheerful rainbow sprinkles, these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Playful & Festive – Rainbow sprinkles make these bars visually stunning and perfect for celebrations.
• Luxuriously Creamy Texture – A smooth cheesecake base infused with real vanilla bean.
• Easy to Slice & Serve – Perfect for parties, bake sales, or holiday dessert tables.
• Made with Simple Ingredients – Classic pantry staples elevated with fresh vanilla.

Funfetti Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bars

Cheesecake has always been a timeless dessert, beloved for its creamy richness and versatility. These Funfetti Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bars add a festive twist to the classic recipe by incorporating rainbow sprinkles and real vanilla beans, resulting in a dessert that feels both playful and indulgent.

The crust provides the perfect foundation, made with buttery graham crackers that create a crisp yet slightly chewy base. This balance of textures enhances the overall dessert experience and keeps each bite satisfying.

At the heart of these bars lies the velvety cheesecake filling, enriched with the seeds of fresh vanilla beans. Unlike vanilla extract alone, the speckled vanilla bean adds depth, aroma, and a sophisticated layer of flavor.

Sprinkles add more than just color—they bring a subtle crunch and light sweetness that makes every bite fun and whimsical. This element transforms a classic cheesecake into something celebratory, ideal for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you want to add a little joy to your table.

These cheesecake bars embody the balance of elegance and playfulness, appealing to both children and adults alike. While the sprinkles make it charming, the creamy filling ensures it delivers true gourmet quality.

Making these bars is surprisingly simple. By preparing the crust first, then layering in the smooth cheesecake batter, you achieve a neat, clean finish once baked and chilled. The process is approachable for both beginners and experienced bakers.

Baking them in a 13×9-inch pan allows for easy slicing, turning a luxurious cheesecake into conveniently portioned bars. This makes them ideal for sharing at events where individual servings are more practical.

The slow bake ensures the filling sets gently without cracks, while a final rest in the warm oven stabilizes the cheesecake even more. The result is silky smooth, perfectly set cheesecake bars.

Once chilled, the bars cut cleanly, showcasing flecks of vanilla and cheerful bursts of sprinkles throughout. Every piece looks like a small work of art.

These bars also store well, holding their flavor and texture for days in the refrigerator. That makes them a wonderful make-ahead dessert for entertaining.

Because they are rich and creamy, smaller portions are satisfying, allowing you to stretch the recipe further when serving a crowd.

From children’s parties to elegant afternoon teas, these cheesecake bars fit seamlessly into any occasion. They manage to be both sophisticated and playful, which is part of their universal charm.

They also provide an opportunity to experiment—you can vary the sprinkle colors to match different holidays, events, or personal preferences, making them endlessly customizable.

In the end, these Funfetti Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bars are a dessert worth keeping in your recipe collection. They are simple enough to make often, yet impressive enough to wow guests every time.

Servings

Makes about 20 bars.

Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Bake Time: 30 minutes + 1 hour resting
• Chill Time: 2–3 hours
• Total Time: About 4 hours

Ingredients

• 16 graham crackers
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• Seeds from 2 vanilla beans
• 2/3 cup rainbow sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Crush graham crackers in a food processor until fine. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles wet sand.
3. Press crumbs firmly into prepared pan to form an even crust. Refrigerate while preparing filling.
4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
5. Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each addition.
6. Split the vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Add them to the cream cheese mixture.
7. Fold in rainbow sprinkles until evenly distributed.
8. Pour filling over chilled crust and spread evenly.
9. Bake for 30 minutes, then turn off oven, crack the door, and leave cheesecake inside for 1 hour.
10. Remove from oven and refrigerate at least 2 hours before slicing.

Tips

• Use high-quality vanilla beans for the richest flavor.
• Don’t overmix after adding eggs to avoid cracking.
• Chill thoroughly before slicing for clean cuts.
• Swap sprinkles for themed colors depending on the occasion.