These Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars are a delightful holiday treat that combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with a sweet cherry topping. Perfect for Christmas gatherings or any festive occasion!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 can cherry pie filling

Directions:

Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until well combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish to form the crust.
Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup of sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully combined.
Assemble the Bars: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the prepared graham cracker crust in the baking dish.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool: Let the cheesecake bars cool completely in the pan at room temperature.
Top with Cherry Filling: Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the top.
Chill: Place the bars in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to set.

Servings and Timing:

Servings: 12-16 bars (depending on portion size)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling time)

Tips:

Crust Variation: If you prefer a different crust flavor, you can substitute graham crackers with digestive biscuits, shortbread cookies, or even chocolate cookies for a twist.
Fruit Topping: Besides cherry pie filling, you can use other fruit toppings such as blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry pie filling for a variation.
Extra Creaminess: For an even creamier cheesecake, add a tablespoon of sour cream or heavy cream to the filling mixture.
Serving Suggestion: Serve these bars chilled with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream on top for an extra festive touch.

Storage:

Refrigerator: Keep any leftover bars covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Freezing: You can freeze these bars before topping with the cherry pie filling. Just wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge and add the cherry filling just before serving.

Conclusion:

These Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars are the perfect holiday dessert. With their creamy cheesecake base, buttery graham cracker crust, and sweet cherry topping, they will be a crowd favorite at any holiday party or family gathering!

Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Author: Sarah
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes (includes chilling)
Yield: 12 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

These Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars are the perfect festive dessert! With a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy, smooth cheesecake filling, and topped with sweet cherry pie filling, they offer a delicious blend of flavors and textures. An easy, crowd-pleasing treat for your holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 can cherry pie filling

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until set. Let the bars cool completely.
Once cooled, spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the top.
Chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of almond extract to the cheesecake filling.
For a firmer crust, press the graham cracker mixture down more firmly before baking.
These bars are best served chilled to maintain their texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes