These Cranberry Cheesecake Bars are a perfect holiday dessert. With their buttery graham cracker crust, and the creamy cheesecake center, all topped off with a layer of tart cranberry sauce. You can use either canned cranberry sauce, or your own homemade sauce! This simple dessert is perfect for the holidays and always crowd-pleasing!
Why We Love This Dessert
- These Cranberry Cheesecake Bars are festive and have a beautiful presentation to impress your family and friends.
- Simple ingredients are used, and unlike some cheesecake recipes, are not too sweet. The addition of sour cream helps lighten up the cream cheese so this dessert isn't too filling.
- You can make this recipe your own. In place of the cranberry sauce, use a can of your favorite pie filling and make this more of a year-round recipe.
Recipe Ingredients
For the graham cracker crust
- Graham Cracker Crumbs
- Butter
- Sugar
For the cheesecake filling and topping
- Cream Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Sugar
- Cranberry Sauce
Tip / Idea
Use this holiday cranberry cheesecake bars recipe throughout the year by eliminating the topping, or adding a can of pie filling, or your favorite in season fruit.
How to Make Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, and melted butter. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan to form the crust.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and ¾ cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix and blend well.
Next, add in vanilla and sour cream until combined.
Pour cheesecake batter over the crust and spread evenly. Bake the cheesecake bars for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is just set.
After the cheesecake bars have cooled for 1 hour at room temperature, spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the top.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before slicing into bars.
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Mom Tip
Always let your cream cheese soften at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Skipping this step just makes lumps in the filling and no one wants a lumpy cheesecake bar!
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Recipe FAQ's
Make sure not to over mix the batter, and do not overbake the cheesecake bars. Remove them from the oven when the center has just set.
Try replacing the graham crackers with gingersnaps or vanilla wafers for a different taste and texture.
Make sure the Cranberry Cheesecake Bars have chilled thoroughly, at least 2 hours, before cutting.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Complete Recipe
Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
For the graham cracker crust
- 1 ½ cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
- ¼ cups Granulated Sugar
- 6 tablespoons Butter melted
For the cheesecake filling
- 16 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- 1 cup Cranberry Sauce homemade or canned, whole berry
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, and melted butter. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan to form the crust.1 ½ cups Graham Cracker Crumbs, ¼ cups Granulated Sugar, 6 tablespoons Butter
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and ¾ cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix and blend well.16 ounces Cream Cheese, ¾ cup Granulated Sugar, 2 large Eggs
- Next, add in vanilla and sour cream until combined.1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Pour cheesecake batter over the crust and spread evenly. Bake the cheesecake bars for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is just set.½ cup Sour Cream
- After the cheesecake bars have cooled for 1 hour at room temperature, spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the top.1 cup Cranberry Sauce
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours before slicing into bars.
Keri says
Not too sweet and not too heavy. These are the perfect holiday dessert.