Description
Silky smooth cherry vanilla cheesecake bars blend creamy richness with fruity elegance, creating a dessert that whispers indulgence. Sweet cherries and delicate vanilla dance across a buttery graham cracker crust, promising pure bliss in each delectable bite you savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 can cherry pie filling
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, melted
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating an overhang for easy removal.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar, firmly pressing the mixture into the pan’s base to create a compact, even crust.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until smooth, gradually incorporating sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes creamy and well-blended.
- Carefully pour the cream cheese mixture over the prepared graham cracker crust, ensuring an even distribution.
- Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, watching for the edges to set and the center to remain slightly jiggly.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature for about 1 hour.
- Once cooled, generously spread cherry pie filling across the entire surface of the cheesecake, creating a vibrant and glossy topping.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake bars for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight to ensure proper setting and enhanced flavor development.
- When ready to serve, lift the cheesecake out using the parchment paper overhang, slice into uniform bars, and plate.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or oat cookies for a celiac-friendly version.
- Enhance flavor by adding a touch of almond extract to the cherry pie filling for deeper complexity.
- Prevent cracks in cheesecake by avoiding overmixing and letting the bars cool gradually at room temperature before refrigerating.
- Create a swirl effect by gently dragging a knife through cherry filling to give a beautiful marbled appearance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 283 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 152 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg