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Fresh Cherry Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 144 reviews

These Fresh Cherry Cheesecake Bars combine a crunchy graham cracker crust with a creamy, tangy cheesecake filling studded with juicy fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy almond crumble. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these bars are a delightful dessert for cherry lovers, offering a balance of textures and flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 1 1/4 cups (135g) ground graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling

  • 16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (104g) sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1/4 cup (60g) sour cream
  • 2 large eggs

Cherry Topping and Almond Crumble

  • 2 1/4 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (52g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup (25g) old-fashioned oats
  • 1/4 cup (25g) sliced almonds
  • 4 tbsp butter, cold and cubed

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine ground graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, a pinch of kosher salt, and melted unsalted butter. Mix thoroughly to create a crumbly mixture. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes to set the crust.
  2. Make the Cheesecake Filling: While the crust is baking, prepare the cheesecake filling. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to beat the cream cheese, sugar, and cornstarch together until smooth. Scrape down the bowl and mix again to ensure a creamy consistency. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and sour cream, mixing until well combined and smooth. Scrape down the bowl again. Finally, add the eggs one at a time, mixing until the batter is smooth and lump-free. Set this mixture aside.
  3. Prepare the Almond Crumble: In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, brown sugar, old-fashioned oats, and sliced almonds. Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks evenly moistened with some pea-sized lumps of butter remaining. This will create a crumbly topping with a nice texture.
  4. Assemble and Bake: Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the pre-baked graham cracker crust. Spread it out smoothly with a spatula. Arrange the pitted and halved fresh cherries evenly on top of the cheesecake layer, covering as much surface area as possible. Finally, sprinkle the almond crumble mixture evenly over the cherries. Bake in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the cheesecake has a slight wobble in the center.
  5. Cool and Chill: Once baking is complete, turn off the oven, crack the door open, and leave the cheesecake bars inside for 10 minutes to cool gradually. Then, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Afterward, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least two hours or until the bars are completely set.
  6. Optional Freezing and Serving: For cleaner slices, you can freeze the cheesecake bars for about one hour before cutting. Serve chilled and enjoy the rich, fruity, and crunchy texture combination of these delightful cherry cheesecake bars.

Notes

  • Use fresh cherries that are fully ripe for the best flavor and texture.
  • Parchment paper makes it easier to remove the bars from the pan cleanly.
  • Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps in the batter.
  • Do not overbake; a slight wobble in the center ensures a creamy cheesecake texture.
  • Optional freezing before slicing helps make cleaner cuts and prevents crumbling.
  • Store leftover bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Keywords: cherry cheesecake bars, cherry dessert, cheesecake bar recipe, almond crumble topping, fresh cherry dessert

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/fresh-cherry-cheesecake-bars-recipe/