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Easy Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 5 hours
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

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

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper.
  2. Mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter, then press firmly into the pan.
  3. Bake crust for 10 minutes and let cool slightly.
  4. Cook cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan until juicy.
  5. Stir in cornstarch mixed with water and cook until thickened, then cool completely.
  6. Beat cream cheese until smooth, add sugar, then mix in eggs one at a time.
  7. Add lemon juice and vanilla extract and mix until creamy.
  8. Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over the crust.
  9. Spoon cherry mixture over the cheesecake layer.
  10. Combine flour and brown sugar, cut in cold butter until crumbly, and sprinkle over cherries.
  11. Bake for 40–45 minutes until edges are set and center slightly jiggles.
  12. 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.