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Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Irresistible Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars with Crunchy Streusel

Delight in the festive flavors of Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars, a perfect make-ahead dessert for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cooling Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: DESSERTS
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crust
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs Or crushed gingerbread cookies for a holiday twist.
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar Regular sugar can work but lacks depth.
  • 0.5 cup melted butter Coconut oil can substitute for a dairy-free option.
For the Cheesecake Layer
  • 24 oz cream cheese Opt for dairy-free cream cheese if needed.
  • 1 cup granulated sugar No substitutes necessary.
  • 2 large eggs eggs For an egg-free version, substitute with flax or chia seeds.
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice Vinegar can be a last resort but is not ideal.
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract No substitutions needed.
For the Cherry Topping
  • 3 cups fresh or frozen whole cherries Canned cherry pie filling works too!
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch No substitutes available.
  • 2 tbsp water No substitution necessary.
  • 0.5 tsp almond extract Optional; replace with vanilla extract if preferred.
For the Streusel Topping
  • 0.75 cup all-purpose flour No substitutions needed for texture.
  • 0.5 cup cold butter Use dairy-free butter if needed.

Equipment

  • 9x9-inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Saucepan

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Mix the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter in a bowl until resembling wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Let it cool slightly.
  3. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cherries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Stir for about 3-4 minutes until the cherries start to soften.
  4. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl; add to the cherries and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring until thickened and glossy. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract.
  5. Beat the cream cheese in a separate bowl until smooth. Gradually add granulated sugar, mixing well. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, followed by lemon juice and vanilla extract until creamy.
  6. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust, smoothing it out evenly.
  7. Spread the cooled cherry mixture over the cheesecake layer carefully.
  8. Prepare the streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, and cold butter in a bowl. Work together until crumbly and sprinkle over the cherry layer.
  9. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden edges appear, with a slightly jiggly center.
  10. Cool completely on counter, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Nutrition

Serving: 1barCalories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Optional: Garnish each bar with whipped cream or powdered sugar before serving.

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