1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish to ensure nothing sticks. This will make it easy to remove the bars later.

2. Create the Base Layer

Open the first can of crescent rolls. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, making sure to press the seams together firmly to create a solid base for your cheesecake bars.

3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This will be the luscious filling that gives the bars their rich texture.

4. Spread the Cheesecake Filling

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crescent roll base. Make sure to cover every inch of the dough to create an even layer of cheesecake filling.

5. Add the Top Layer of Crescent Rolls

Open the second can of crescent rolls and carefully unroll the dough. Place it over the cream cheese layer, gently pressing the seams together to seal the filling inside.

6. Add the Butter and Cinnamon-Sugar Topping

In a small bowl, mix the remaining 3 – 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. Melt the unsalted butter and pour it over the top layer of crescent rolls. Then, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the buttered top layer.

7. Bake to Perfection

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and most of the butter has been absorbed. Keep a close eye on the bars to avoid over-baking.

8. Cool and Cut into Bars

Once baked to perfection, allow the cheesecake bars to cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes. This step is crucial as it helps the flavors and textures set properly. Once cooled, cut the bars into squares and enjoy!