Description
Creamy Cherry Almond Cheesecake Bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth almond-infused cheesecake filling, and a bright cherry topping for a perfect balance of rich and fruity flavors.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for crust)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract (for filling)
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted (or cherry pie filling)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 tsp almond extract (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press evenly into the pan bottom.
- Bake crust for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden. Cool while preparing filling.
- Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth (about 2 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp almond extract, sour cream, and heavy cream until fully combined.
- Pour cheesecake batter over cooled crust.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until center is just set and slightly jiggly.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
- For cherry topping, combine cherries, 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and water in a saucepan.
- Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened (about 5 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp almond extract. Cool to room temperature.
- Spread cherry topping evenly over chilled cheesecake bars.
- Slice into bars and serve chilled.
Notes
Substitute gluten-free graham crackers to make crust gluten-free.
Cherry pie filling can be used instead of fresh cherries; reduce sugar if using pie filling.
Bars keep fresh refrigerated up to 4 days; best served cold.
Freeze bars wrapped tightly up to 2 months; thaw overnight in refrigerator.
For a twist, try blueberry or raspberry topping or add sliced almonds on top.
Use light cream cheese or Greek yogurt for a lighter texture.
Softening cream cheese at room temperature or microwaving briefly helps smooth batter.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
