Description
Sweet holiday magic unfolds with these christmas cherry cheesecake bars, blending creamy richness and festive cherry swirls. Perfectly balanced layers promise delightful indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup (75 milliliters) cold salted butter, cubed
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnish Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (40 grams) green candied cherries, chopped
- ¼ cup (40 grams) red candied cherries, chopped
Instructions
- Craft a buttery foundation by pulverizing graham crackers with melted butter and sugar, pressing the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined baking vessel to create a crisp, golden base.
- Whip cream cheese until velvety smooth, gradually incorporating eggs and fragrant extracts to develop a silky, luxurious cheesecake batter with delicate undertones of vanilla and almond.
- Gently cascade the creamy mixture over the pre-baked crust, ensuring an even distribution that promises a uniform texture throughout the dessert.
- Slide the pan into a preheated oven, allowing the cheesecake to transform into a delicate, slightly golden landscape with a perfectly set interior that jiggles subtly when nudged.
- After cooling completely, lavish the surface with a generous blanket of vibrant cherry pie filling, creating a festive crimson canvas that promises a burst of fruity sweetness.
- Enhance the visual appeal by delicately scattering powdered sugar across the top, creating a wintry, snow-like dusting that complements the rich cherry hues.
- Refrigerate the creation for several hours, allowing the layers to meld and set, then slice into elegant squares that reveal beautiful, distinct layers of buttery crust, creamy filling, and glossy cherry topping.
Notes
- Adapt the crust by using gluten-free graham crackers for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful dessert.
- Experiment with different fruit toppings like raspberry or blueberry to create unique seasonal variations that keep the recipe exciting and versatile.
- Create a lighter version by using reduced-fat cream cheese and replacing some sugar with a natural sweetener like stevia for a healthier alternative.
- Prevent cracking in the cheesecake layer by baking in a water bath and allowing the bars to cool gradually, which helps maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg