Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars

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These Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars are the perfect holiday dessert! With a buttery sugar cookie crust, creamy cheesecake filling, sweet cherry topping, and a crunchy almond streusel, they are a festive and irresistible treat. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just looking for a fun Christmas dessert, these bars are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

  • 8.5 ounces Sugar Cookie Mix
  • 4 tablespoons Cold Unsalted Butter (cut into small cubes)

For the Cheesecake Layer:

  • 8 ounces Softened Cream Cheese
  • ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Large Egg

For the Topping:

  • ½ can Cherry Pie Filling
  • ⅓ cup Toasted Sliced Almonds

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch or 9×13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. Coat the foil with non-stick spray to ensure the bars come out easily after baking.

Step 2: Make the Sugar Cookie Crust

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix and cold butter. Use a pastry blender or your hands to mix until the dough resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside about ¾ cup of this mixture for the topping.

Press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes until the crust is just starting to set and looks slightly underdone. Let the crust cool while you prepare the cheesecake layer.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheesecake Layer

In a separate mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, and egg. Use an electric mixer or whisk to blend until smooth and creamy, making sure there are no lumps.

Step 4: Assemble the Layers

Once the crust has cooled, spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cooled sugar cookie crust. Then, spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer. Be sure to spread the cherries out so every bite gets some fruit!

Step 5: Add the Topping

In a small bowl, mix the reserved crumbly sugar cookie dough with the toasted sliced almonds. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cherry layer. The almonds will add a nice crunch and depth of flavor to the bars.

Step 6: Final Bake

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 40 minutes if using an 8×8-inch pan, or 45 minutes if using a 9×13-inch pan, until the top is golden brown and the cheesecake layer is set. You can check doneness by gently shaking the pan—if the center is firm and not jiggly, it’s ready!

Step 7: Cool and Store

Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, place them in the refrigerator and chill for at least a couple of hours to set. This also helps the flavors meld together beautifully.

Once chilled, remove the bars from the pan using the foil overhang. Slice into squares and serve!

Storage

Store any leftover bars in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4-5 days. They also freeze well for up to a month, so you can prepare them ahead of time for the holidays.

These Christmas Cherry Cheesecake Bars are rich, creamy, and full of festive flavors. The sweet cherries, crunchy almonds, and velvety cheesecake layer make these the perfect dessert to share with family and friends this holiday season!

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