Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars are a festive and creamy treat perfect for the holiday season. With a buttery graham cracker crust, rich cheesecake filling, and a sweet cherry topping, they bring a perfect balance of flavors and a beautiful presentation to your dessert table.

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
• Optional: ½ tsp almond extract
• Optional decoration: white chocolate shavings
• Optional decoration: festive sprinkles or edible glitter
• Optional decoration: crushed peppermint or mini candy canes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugar and mix well. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract, sour cream, and flour until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
3. Step 3: Pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the cooled crust. Smooth the top with a spatula. Drop spoonfuls of cherry pie filling over the surface. Gently swirl with a knife or skewer for a marbled effect, or leave as a topping.
4. Step 4: Bake for 35–40 minutes until the center is set but slightly jiggly. Avoid overbaking to prevent cracking. After baking, leave the bars in the oven with the door slightly open for 10 minutes to set the texture.
5. Step 5: Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set the cheesecake.
6. Step 6: Lift the cheesecake out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into bars with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts for clean edges. Decorate with white chocolate shavings, crushed peppermint, or festive sprinkles as desired.

Tips & Variations

• Add ½ teaspoon almond extract to the cherry topping for extra depth of flavor.
• Use a mix of fresh or frozen cherries instead of pie filling for a less sweet topping.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookies or nut crust.
• Chill the bars overnight to enhance the flavors and ensure firm slices.

Storage

Store the cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to one month; thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. To reheat, let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or enjoy chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, these cheesecake bars are ideal to make a day ahead. Refrigerate them overnight to allow the flavors to develop and the texture to set perfectly.

How do I prevent the cheesecake from cracking?

To avoid cracks, don’t overbake the bars—the center should still jiggle slightly when done. Letting them cool in the oven with the door ajar for 10 minutes also helps prevent cracking and keeps the texture creamy.

Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 136 reviews

These Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy vanilla cheesecake filling, and sweet cherry pie topping for a festive and delicious dessert perfect for holiday gatherings.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 65 minutes (including chilling time)
• Yield: 12 to 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Crust:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour

For the Cherry Topping:

• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
• Optional: ½ tsp almond extract for extra flavor

For Decoration (Optional):

• White chocolate shavings
• Festive sprinkles or edible glitter
• Crushed peppermint or mini candy canes

Instructions

1. Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy lifting. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan using the back of a spoon or flat measuring cup. Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool slightly.
2. Make the cheesecake layer: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add sugar and mix well. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, sour cream, and flour. Mix until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
3. Assemble the bars: Pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the cooled crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Drop spoonfuls of cherry pie filling across the surface and gently swirl with a knife or skewer to create a marbled effect, or leave it as a topping.
4. Bake to perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, until the center is set but slightly jiggles. Avoid overbaking to prevent cracks. Turn off the oven and leave the bars inside with the door slightly open for 10 minutes to help prevent cracks and promote a creamy texture.
5. Chill and set: Remove the pan from the oven and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set the cheesecake bars.
6. Slice and decorate: Lift the cheesecake out using the parchment overhang. Slice into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife, wiping between cuts for clean edges. Garnish with white chocolate shavings, crushed peppermint, or festive sprinkles for a holiday touch.

Notes

• Ensure the cream cheese is softened to prevent lumps in the batter.
• Do not overbake to avoid cracks in the cheesecake; the center should be slightly jiggly when done.
• Letting the bars cool in the oven with the door ajar helps maintain a creamy texture.
• Refrigerate thoroughly before slicing for best results.
• Optional almond extract can be added to the cherry topping for extra flavor.
• Use parchment paper with overhang for easy removal of bars from the pan.

Keywords: Christmas, Cherry, Cheesecake Bars, Holiday Dessert, Festive Bars, Graham Cracker Crust