Name: Easy Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 5 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs; ½ cup brown sugar; ¾ cup melted butter; 24 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1½ tsp vanilla extract; 3 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted; ½ cup granulated sugar (for cherries); 2 tbsp cornstarch; 2 tbsp water; ½ tsp almond extract (optional); ¾ cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup brown sugar (for streusel); ⅓ cup cold butter, cubed

Description

Festive Christmas cherry cheesecake bars made with a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, juicy cherry layer, and crunchy streusel topping – the ultimate holiday dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup brown sugar
¾ cup melted butter
24 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tbsp lemon juice
1½ tsp vanilla extract
3 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
½ cup granulated sugar (for cherries)
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
½ tsp almond extract (optional)
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar (for streusel)
⅓ cup cold butter, cubed

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper.
Mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter, then press firmly into the pan.
Bake crust for 10 minutes and let cool slightly.
Cook cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan until juicy.
Stir in cornstarch mixed with water and cook until thickened, then cool completely.
Beat cream cheese until smooth, add sugar, then mix in eggs one at a time.
Add lemon juice and vanilla extract and mix until creamy.
Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over the crust.
Spoon cherry mixture over the cheesecake layer.
Combine flour and brown sugar, cut in cold butter until crumbly, and sprinkle over cherries.
Bake for 40–45 minutes until edges are set and center slightly jiggles.
Cool completely, then refrigerate at least 4 hours before slicing into bars.

Notes

For best results, use room-temperature cream cheese and allow the bars to chill fully before slicing for clean layers.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 320
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: christmas cherry cheesecake bars, cheesecake bars, cherry dessert, holiday baking, festive dessert