Cherry Cheesecake Crumble Bars
With an oat-filled crust, tangy cheesecake filling, cherry preserves, and crumb topping, these cherry cheesecake bars are one delicious dessert the whole family will love.
Cheesecake recipes are some of the favorite creations to bake, from pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving to an easy cheesecake for gatherings. These cherry cheesecake bars bring together the joy of cherry cheesecake and the convenience of bar desserts, making them perfect for sharing, cookouts, or special brunch treats.
Why You’ll Love These Cherry Cheesecake Bars
Layered desserts are a delight, featuring a mix of flavors and textures. In these cherry cheesecake bars, the buttery oat crust provides a flavorful base, with a cheesecake layer enriched by a hint of almond extract. Swirls of cherry preserves add a fruity twist, topped with a crumbly mixture to create a satisfying crunch. This recipe is ideal for an 8×8-inch pan, resulting in 9 generous servings or 12 smaller ones—just the right amount for family dining without overwhelming leftovers. While traditionally saved for dessert, their crumb topping makes them suitable for brunch too!
How to Make My Cherry Cheesecake Bars
These bars are straightforward to prepare. You’ll start by making the crust and filling separately, then combine them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the crust:
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons lightly packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter
This recipe utilizes quick-cooking oats; avoid instant oats. Sliced almonds add texture, but feel free to omit them for a nut-free version. You can substitute corn syrup with honey if preferred, and ensure your butter is adequately softened.
For the cheesecake filling:
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large room-temperature egg
- ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup cherry preserves
Ensure the cream cheese is softened to achieve a smooth creamy filling. Bonne Maman preserves work wonderfully, but you can also opt for homemade jam.
Making These Cheesecake Bars
Begin by lining an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper and spritzing it with nonstick spray.
Using a mixer, combine the oats, flour, almonds, cinnamon, corn syrup, brown sugar, and butter until crumbly. Press about 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared pan and set aside the remaining crumb mixture.
In another bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla until smooth. Pour this mixture over the crust and microwave the cherry preserves for a few seconds until manageable. Drop spoonfuls of the preserves over the cheesecake mixture and use a knife to swirl them together.
Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until the center is set. Allow the bars to cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Storage and Freezing
Store cherry cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For freezing, keep them in an airtight container for up to a month and thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Recipe Variations
While the combination of cherries, almonds, and cream cheese is a classic, you can experiment with other jam flavors like blueberry, raspberry, or peach preserves. Omitting the almonds and almond extract works well for any of these variations. For a citrus twist, skip the cinnamon and almond, add lemon zest to the crust and use lemon curd instead of preserves.
