Description
Creamy cherry cheesecake bars blend classic dessert charm with irresistible homemade goodness. Rich cream cheese and sweet cherries create a delightful treat that will make your taste buds dance with pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8.5 ounces (241 grams) sugar cookie mix
- 8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 can cherry pie filling
- 1 large egg
Dairy and Sweeteners:
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) cold unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Baking Supplements:
- 1 tablespoon (8 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (35 grams) toasted sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a baking pan by lining with foil and applying non-stick spray.
- Combine cookie mix with chilled butter, working until mixture becomes coarse and crumbly. Set aside 3/4 cup of this mixture for topping.
- Press remaining crumb mixture firmly into prepared pan, creating an even base layer. Bake for 10 minutes until slightly underdone, allowing for additional cooking during final baking.
- In a separate bowl, whisk cream cheese with sugar, flour, vanilla, and egg until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Carefully spread cream cheese mixture across the partially baked crust, ensuring even coverage.
- Gently pour cherry filling over cream cheese layer, distributing evenly to create a vibrant fruit layer.
- Combine reserved crumb mixture with chopped almonds, then delicately sprinkle this topping across the cherry layer.
- Return pan to oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and set filling.
- Remove from oven and allow dessert to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then transfer to refrigerator for complete chilling and setting.
Notes
- Customize crumb base by substituting different cookie types like graham crackers or shortbread for unique flavor variations.
- Keep cream cheese filling smooth by ensuring ingredients are at room temperature before mixing to prevent lumps.
- Create gluten-free version by using certified gluten-free cookie mix and checking all ingredient labels carefully.
- Enhance presentation by adding fresh whipped cream or chocolate drizzle just before serving to elevate dessert’s visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg