Description
These Christmas Cheesecake Bars are a delightful blend of creamy, rich cheesecake layered on a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with a festive swirl of cranberry sauce. Each bite offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, with a velvety texture that melts in your mouth, making them an irresistible holiday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- Cranberry Swirl:
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×9 inch baking pan to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream until fully combined.
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly.
- In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Let it cool slightly.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cranberry mixture over the cheesecake filling and use a knife to swirl it gently.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
- Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Make-ahead: These bars can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Substitutions: Use a gluten-free graham cracker for a gluten-free version, or replace sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: desserts
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximately 2.5 oz)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 grams
- Sodium: 150 milligrams
- Fat: 15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 9 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 25 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 4 grams
- Cholesterol: 50 milligrams
Keywords: Christmas Cheesecake Bars, holiday desserts, creamy cheesecake, cranberry swirl, festive treats, easy cheesecake recipe, Christmas baking, dessert bars, seasonal desserts, make-ahead desserts, rich cheesecake, graham cracker crust, sweet and tart