Description
Cherry-studded Christmas cheesecake bars dance with festive cheer, bringing holiday magic to dessert tables. Creamy layers and buttery crust invite sweet celebrations, promising delightful moments of seasonal indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) melted butter
Filling Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 can cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×9 inch baking pan by lining with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs and combine with melted butter and sugar, creating a compact base mixture.
- Press the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a smooth foundation.
- Using an electric mixer, blend cream cheese until velvety and incorporate sugar and vanilla extract, whipping until completely smooth.
- Gently introduce eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing after each addition to maintain a silky consistency.
- Carefully pour the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust, ensuring an even distribution.
- Slide the pan into a preheated 350°F oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, watching for a slight jiggle in the center indicating proper setting.
- Remove from oven and allow the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature, which helps prevent cracking.
- Refrigerate the cooled cheesecake for a minimum of 2 hours to achieve a firm, sliceable texture.
- Once chilled, generously spread cherry pie filling across the entire surface of the cheesecake.
- Using a sharp knife, slice into elegant rectangular bars and serve chilled for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or oat cookies for a celiac-friendly version.
- Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-calorie dessert.
- Enhance cherry flavor by adding a splash of almond extract or a sprinkle of fresh orange zest to the cream cheese mixture.
- Create mini cheesecake bites by using a muffin tin instead of a 9×9 inch pan for individual servings and easier portion control.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 248 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg