Description
Festive Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars blend creamy cheesecake with sweet cherry topping in a delightful holiday dessert. Homemade bars offer rich flavor and elegant presentation for seasonal celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup (75 mL) cold salted butter, cubed
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup (40 g) green candied cherries, chopped
- ¼ cup (40 g) red candied cherries, chopped
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Pulverize graham crackers with melted butter and sugar, pressing the mixture into a parchment-lined baking pan to create a golden, compact base that will support the creamy filling.
- Batter Creation: Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, blending in eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract to craft a luscious cheesecake mixture with harmonious flavor profiles and a luxurious texture.
- Baking Process: Transfer the pan to a preheated oven and bake until the cheesecake develops a light golden surface with a subtle jiggle at the center, indicating a perfectly set custard-like consistency.
- Cooling and Topping: Allow the cheesecake to cool completely, then generously spread cherry pie filling across the surface, creating a vibrant crimson layer that promises a burst of festive fruity sweetness.
- Finishing Touch: Dust the entire surface with a delicate snowfall of powdered sugar, enhancing the visual appeal and adding a light, wintry accent to the rich dessert.
- Serving Preparation: Refrigerate the bars for several hours to allow flavors to meld and layers to set firmly, then slice into elegant squares that showcase the beautiful stratification of crust, creamy filling, and glossy cherry topping.
Notes
- Control Crumb Consistency: Pulse graham crackers to a fine, even texture for a compact, stable crust that won’t crumble when slicing the bars.
- Prevent Cheesecake Cracking: Beat cream cheese at room temperature and avoid overmixing to create a smooth, crack-free surface that looks professionally prepared.
- Manage Moisture Balance: Drain cherry pie filling slightly to prevent excess liquid from seeping into the cheesecake layer, maintaining a clean, distinct texture between layers.
- Optimize Chilling Time: Allow bars to refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, enabling complete flavor melding and ensuring a firm, sliceable consistency that holds its shape perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg