Description
A festive blend of creamy cheesecake, sweet cherries, and buttery streusel—all layered into the most irresistible holiday bars! Perfect for Christmas parties, dessert tables, or a cozy winter treat.
Ingredients
- Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup melted butter
- Cheesecake Layer:
- 24 oz (680g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Cherry Layer:
- 3 cups fresh or frozen whole cherries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- Streusel Topping:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup cold butter, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix graham crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter. Press into pan and bake for 10 minutes. Set aside.
- Cook cherries, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat for 3–4 minutes. Stir in cornstarch mixed with water and cook until thick. Remove from heat and add almond extract. Cool.
- Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, then eggs one at a time. Mix in lemon juice and vanilla. Spread over crust.
- Spoon cooled cherry mixture evenly over cheesecake layer.
- Combine flour and brown sugar; cut in cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over cherries.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until edges are golden and center slightly jiggles.
- Cool completely, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before slicing.
Notes
- Chilling is essential for clean, neat slices.
- Frozen cherries work perfectly when cooked down.
- Almond extract enhances the cherry flavor beautifully.
- Bars freeze well—slice first, then freeze individually.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Bars
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American