Description
These Christmas Cheesecake Bars feature a buttery sugar-cookie crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and crumbly topping sprinkled with festive jimmies. They’re rich, colorful, and perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Crumb Topping
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup holiday jimmie sprinkles
Filling
- 2 (8-ounce) packages full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 2/3 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. Lightly grease with butter or nonstick spray. - Make the Crust and Topping:
In a large bowl, beat together softened butter, brown sugar, white sugar, salt, nutmeg, vanilla, and almond extract until light and creamy—about 2–3 minutes. Gradually add the flour and mix until crumbly but cohesive. Stir in the holiday sprinkles. - Form the Base:
Press about two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even layer. Reserve the remaining one-third for the crumb topping. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly. - Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar, flour, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg until smooth and creamy. Add the heavy cream and lemon juice, mixing until combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, just until incorporated—do not overmix. - Assemble the Bars:
Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the baked crust. Crumble the reserved dough mixture over the top, leaving some patches of filling visible for a rustic look. - Bake the Cheesecake Bars:
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is mostly set but still slightly jiggly. The topping should be lightly golden. - Cool and Chill:
Let the bars cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours (or overnight) to fully set. - Slice and Serve:
Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into squares or rectangles, and serve chilled. Garnish with extra sprinkles if desired for that festive touch.
Notes
Active Time: 25 minutes
Passive Time: 3 hours (chilling)
For clean slices, run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe between cuts.
Avoid overbaking—the filling will continue to set as it cools.
You can substitute the jimmies with crushed peppermint or colored sanding sugar for a different holiday theme.