Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars 🥧🍰

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon. Add the melted butter and stir until everything is well mixed and the crumbs are moistened.
Press the crust: Press the graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool while you prepare the cheesecake layer.

Beat the cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add the eggs and sour cream: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream.
Pour over the crust: Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Let it cool to room temperature.

Prepare the topping: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, heavy cream, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the pecans: Stir in the pecan halves and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is slightly thickened.
Cool slightly: Remove from heat and let the pecan mixture cool for 5-10 minutes before pouring it over the cheesecake layer.

Top with pecan mixture: Pour the pecan topping evenly over the cheesecake layer. Return the bars to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and the center is set.
Cool: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the bars to firm up.

Slice and serve: Once chilled, cut into squares and serve these irresistible Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars for a decadent treat!

Make-ahead: These bars are perfect for making ahead of time. They hold up well in the fridge for 3-4 days, or you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container.
For extra texture: Toast the pecans before adding them to the topping for a deeper flavor. Simply toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant.
Customize the sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet pecan pie topping, reduce the amount of brown sugar by 1/4 cup for a more balanced flavor.