Christmas Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery sugar cookie crust with a creamy cheesecake layer and festive cherry pie filling. Topped with crunchy almonds, they make a delightful holiday treat that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 1 (8.5 oz) Sugar Cookie Mix
• 4 tbsp Butter, Cold
• 1 (8 oz) Cream Cheese, Softened
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1 tbsp Flour
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla
• 1 Egg
• 3/4 can Cherry Pie Filling
• 1/3 cup Almonds, Sliced

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8 inch pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix and cold, cubed butter using a fork until the mixture becomes crumbly.
3. Step 3: Reserve 3/4 cup of the crumbly mixture. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then place in the refrigerator to cool quickly.
4. Step 4: While the crust cools, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla, and egg until smooth and creamy.
5. Step 5: Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cooled crust, covering it completely.
6. Step 6: Spoon the cherry pie filling over the cheesecake layer, spreading it evenly.
7. Step 7: Stir the sliced almonds into the reserved crumb mixture, then sprinkle this topping evenly over the cherry filling.
8. Step 8: Bake for 40 minutes. Allow to cool for 30 minutes, then refrigerate until the bars are cold and firm.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh or frozen cherries instead of pie filling for a less sweet, more natural flavor.
• Swap almonds for pecans or walnuts for a different nutty crunch.
• For extra richness, add a tablespoon of sour cream to the cheesecake mixture.
• Make individual servings by baking in a muffin tin lined with paper cups.
• Let the bars chill overnight for the best texture and flavor development.

Storage

Store the cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat slightly before serving if you prefer a softer texture, but they are best enjoyed cold and firm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cookie mix for the crust?

Yes, you can substitute the sugar cookie mix with other cookie mixes like vanilla or shortbread, but the flavor and texture of the crust will vary slightly.

Do I need to let the bars chill before serving?

Yes, chilling the bars for at least 30 minutes helps them firm up and makes slicing easier. For best results, chill them several hours or overnight.

Christmas Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 90 reviews

• Author: Zoe
• Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x

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Description

These Christmas Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery sugar cookie crust with a creamy cheesecake layer, topped with festive cherry pie filling and crunchy almond crumble. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these bars are easy to make and deliver a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust & Topping

• 1 (8.5 oz) Sugar Cookie Mix
• 4 tbsp Butter, Cold and Cubed
• 1/3 cup Almonds, Sliced

Cheesecake Filling

• 1 (8 oz) Cream Cheese, Softened
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1 tbsp Flour
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 Egg

Additional

• 3/4 can Cherry Pie Filling (approx. 12 oz)

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside to prepare the crust.
2. Make the Crust Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix and cold, cubed butter. Use a fork to blend until the mixture becomes crumbly. Reserve 3/4 cup of the crumble mixture for the topping.
3. Form and Bake Crust: Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and place in the refrigerator to cool quickly.
4. Prepare Cheesecake Filling: While the crust cools, beat together softened cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and egg until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
5. Assemble Bars: Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cooled crust, ensuring full coverage. Then spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cheesecake layer.
6. Add Almond Topping: Stir the sliced almonds into the reserved crumble mixture, then sprinkle this almond crumble evenly over the cherry pie filling.
7. Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the cheesecake layer is set and the topping is golden and crisp.
8. Cool and Chill: Remove from oven and let the bars cool for 30 minutes at room temperature. Then refrigerate until fully chilled and firm, about 2 hours or overnight before serving.

Notes

• For easier slicing, chill the bars thoroughly before cutting.
• You can substitute cherry pie filling with other fruit pie fillings like blueberry or strawberry to vary flavors.
• Use cold butter to achieve a crumbly topping and crust texture.
• If cream cheese is not fully softened, microwave briefly in 10-second increments to avoid lumps in the filling.
• The almond crumble topping adds a nice crunch but can be omitted or substituted with chopped pecans or walnuts if preferred.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas Cheesecake Bars, Holiday Dessert, Cherry Cheesecake Bars, Sugar Cookie Crust, Almond Topping, Festive Dessert