Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars, featuring a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a creamy cheesecake layer swirled with luscious cherry pie filling. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these bars combine classic flavors with a colorful twist for a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 large eggs
Cherry Topping
- 1 can (about 21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Garnish
- Red and green sprinkles, for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter, mixing until evenly moistened. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust layer.
- Make the cheesecake batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add sour cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and mix until fully incorporated and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Assemble the layers: Pour the cheesecake batter over the prepared crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula for an even layer. In a small bowl, stir together the cherry pie filling with fresh lemon juice and cornstarch until blended. Spoon the cherry topping evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Swirl the cherries: Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the cherry topping into the cheesecake batter to create a marbled effect, taking care not to over-swirl.
- Bake the bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cheesecake center is set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken.
- Cool and chill: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate the bars for at least 3 hours to fully set before slicing.
- Serve and garnish: Just before serving, sprinkle red and green festive sprinkles over the bars for a holiday touch. Use a warm knife to cut clean slices for the best presentation.
Notes
- For thicker bars, use an 8×12-inch pan and increase the baking time slightly to ensure the cheesecake is fully set.
- You can substitute homemade cherry topping if preferred for a fresher flavor.
- Cut bars with a warm knife to achieve smooth, clean edges and prevent cracking.