Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines the best of two iconic desserts: cheesecake and sopapilla (realhousemoms.com)
Super simple to assemble using just two cans of crescent rolls
Versatile: serve it warm with ice cream or chilled for neat slices (Belly Full)
Great for make-ahead entertaining—easy to bake the day before

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Crescent roll dough (two 8‑oz tubes or sheets)
Cream cheese, softened
Granulated sugar (divided)
Large egg
Vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon
Unsalted butter, melted
Honey (for drizzling)

directions

Preheat oven to 350 °F (175–180 °C) and grease a 9×13‑inch pan.
Prepare cinnamon sugar: mix a portion of the sugar with cinnamon; set aside.
Blend filling: beat cream cheese with sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
Assemble base layer: unroll or stretch one crescent roll sheet into pan, sealing seams if needed.
Add filling: spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough.
Top layer: unroll the second dough sheet, stretch to fit, and place over filling.
Finish topping: brush with melted butter, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is puffed, golden, and the center is set (Sweet and Savory Meals, Allrecipes, Belly Full, Muy Bueno, The Girl Who Ate Everything, realhousemoms.com).
Drizzle with honey immediately after baking for that authentic sopapilla finish (Allrecipes).
Cool: chill for at least 1–3 hours (or overnight) before slicing into bars (Muy Bueno).

Servings and timing

Makes 12 bars (9×13″ pan)
Prep time: 10–20 minutes
Bake time: 30–35 minutes
Cooling/chilling: 1–3 hours (chill overnight for best slices) Savory Meals)
Total time: ~1½–2 hours (longer if chilling)

Variations

Citrus twist: add lemon, lime, or orange zest to the filling or drizzle citrus glaze
Fruit layer: spread cherry, apple or blueberry filling on cream cheese before topping (
Nutty crunch: sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the top before baking
Chocolate lover: stir in chocolate chips or swirl melted chocolate in the filling
Reduced sugar: use less sugar in filling or cinnamon topping, or skip the honey for lower sweetness
Pastry alternatives: puff pastry, homemade pie dough, or vegan substitutes work too

storage/reheating

Refrigerator: store cooled bars in an airtight container for up to 3–5 days (Muy Bueno).
Freezer: flash-freeze bars on a tray, then transfer to freezer-safe container. Freeze 1–3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge .
Reheat: enjoy chilled or warm. Heat individual slices in microwave at 50% power for 5–15 seconds, or warm in 350 °F oven for ~10 minutes to crisp layers

FAQs

How long before serving can I make it?

You can bake it up to 24 hours in advance; chilling overnight helps it slice cleanly .

Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent rolls?

Yes—puff pastry gives a flakier, more buttery texture but may puff more and bake differently .

My bottom crust was doughy—what went wrong?

Try baking an extra 5–10 minutes until both tops and bottoms are golden; rotate pan if needed .

Can I use low-fat cream cheese or less sugar?

Full-fat cream cheese ensures proper thickness and texture; low-fat may result in runny filling Reducing sugar is fine—adjust to taste .

Should I drizzle honey right away or before serving?

Drizzle immediately after baking to merge flavors, or wait until serving to crispen the topping.

Can I half the recipe?

Absolutely—use an 8×8 pan and bake 5–10 minutes less; chilling time remains similar ).

How do I get clean slices?

Chill thoroughly, use a hot sharp knife cleaned between cuts, or run under hot water .

Does refrigeration impact texture?

Yes—over time the top may lose crispness, but chilling enhances slicing and flavor melding ).

Can I add fruit or nuts without affecting structure?

Yes—add drained fruit or chopped nuts into the filling or sprinkle on top. Just avoid excess moisture .

Is there a gluten-free version?

Use gluten-free crescent-style dough or puff pastry substitutes; texture will vary but concept holds.

Conclusion

This Sopapilla Cheesecake is the ultimate easy yet elegant dessert—a buttery cinnamon-sugar pastry sandwiching a rich cheesecake center. With flexibilities like fruit, nuts, chocolate, or citrus layers, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping ahead. Serve warm or chilled, and watch it disappear!