Description
Easy 5-ingredient cherry cheesecake bars with a buttery graham cracker crust and tangy cream cheese layer topped with bright cherry pie filling. Perfect for make-ahead desserts and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces (450g) cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 can (21 ounces / 595g) cherry pie filling
- 1 1/2 cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons (85g) melted butter
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until evenly coated and press firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake crust for 8 minutes.
- While crust bakes, beat softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract if using.
- Pour cheesecake mixture over warm crust and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Spoon cherry pie filling over cheesecake layer, distributing cherries evenly.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until cheesecake layer is set but slightly jiggly in the center. Avoid overbaking.
- Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to firm up.
- Use a sharp knife to cut into 9 large or 12 smaller bars. Wipe knife with warm damp cloth between slices for clean cuts. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth blending. Chill bars for at least 2 hours before slicing for clean cuts. Use a sharp knife wiped with a warm damp cloth between slices. Avoid overbaking to prevent cracks. Variations include blueberry pie filling, chocolate swirl, nut crunch, gluten-free crust, and lower sugar options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (if cut into 1
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 19
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: cherry cheesecake bars, easy dessert, 5 ingredient bars, cherry pie filling, graham cracker crust, make-ahead dessert, potluck dessert