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 gatherings, they offer a delightful balance of textures and flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust & Topping
- 1 (8.5 oz) Sugar Cookie Mix
- 4 tbsp Butter, Cold
- 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
Topping
- 3/4 can Cherry Pie Filling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with non-stick spray and set aside to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
- Make Crumble Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix and cubed cold butter. Use a fork to cut the butter into the mix until it becomes crumbly in texture.
- Prepare Crust: Reserve 3/4 cup of the crumble mixture for topping later. Press the remaining crumble firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake this crust for 10 minutes, then place it in the refrigerator to cool quickly.
- Mix Cheesecake Filling: While the crust cools, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and egg until the mixture is smooth and creamy, without lumps.
- Assemble Cheesecake Layer: Evenly spread the cheesecake filling over the chilled crust, making sure it covers the surface completely for an even bake.
- Add Pie Filling: Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cheesecake layer, distributing it gently to avoid mixing layers.
- Prepare Topping: Stir the sliced almonds into the reserved crumble mixture. Sprinkle this almond crumble mixture evenly over the cherry pie filling.
- Bake the Bars: Place the assembled pan in the oven and bake for 40 minutes, allowing the cheesecake to set and the topping to turn golden brown.
- Cool and Chill: After baking, let the bars cool for 30 minutes at room temperature. Then, refrigerate them until thoroughly chilled and firm before slicing into bars for serving.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to ensure a smooth filling without lumps.
- Press the crust firmly into the pan so it holds together well after baking.
- Cooling the crust before adding the cheesecake layer prevents mixing of layers and helps the filling set properly.
- Chilling the bars overnight will improve slicing and flavor melding.
- You can substitute almonds with other nuts like pecans or walnuts, if preferred.
- For easier slicing, run a knife under hot water and dry it before cutting.
- Prep Time: 20 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
