Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Here at Stemilt, we are always on the hunt for potluck dishes. And with it being cherry season, it only makes sense that we find a recipe that incorporates our big, tasty, World Famous dark-sweet cherries.

Stemilt’s dark-sweet cherry season starts in May in California and wraps up in September with our high elevation orchards in Washington State. Stemilt’s founding family, the Mathison’s, have been growing cherries for over a hundred years in Wenatchee, Washington, so needless to say, they know how to grow some delicious dark-sweet cherries.

While many of us typically snack on cherries straight from the bag, its always nice to have a tasty potluck dish tucked away in our back pocket for that perfect backyard occasion and these Cherry Cheesecake Bars fit the bill.

Our friend Chelsea, from A Duck’s Oven whipped up this recipe and we’re sure glad she did. Just think about it – a buttery, graham cracker crust (yum) that holds a delicious cheesecake filling which is topped with delicious, gooey, sweet dark-sweet cherry mixture. Hungry yet? We are.

Just like a cheesecake, this recipe takes a little time to set in the fridge. After making the graham cracker base and cheesecake filling, the cherries require a little time on a stovetop to achieve that perfect flavor and texture. When making the cherry mixture, patience is key as that will really bring out the essence and consistency you want for the top of this dessert.

Before you head to the grocery store, check out the video below to see just how easy it is to make these Cherry Cheesecake Bars for your next potluck! Enjoy!

Cherry Cheesecake Bars

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Nutritional Information

Ingredients

• Crust Ingredients
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (1 sleeve)
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• Cheesecake Filling:
• 16 ounces (2 large bars) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cherry Topping:
• 2 cups fresh cherries, stems removed and pitted
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Water (if needed)

Just think about it – a buttery, graham cracker crust (yum) that holds a delicious cheesecake filling which is topped with delicious, gooey, sweet dark-sweet cherry mixture. Hungry yet? We are.

Rate this recipe:

(19 votes, average: 3.74 out of 5)

Loading...

• Yield
  8 servings
• Prep time
  00:30
• Cook time
  02:40
• Total time
  3:10
• Cuisine
  American
• In Category
  Dessert
• Level
  Medium

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray an 8x8 glass baking dish with parchment spray and lightly spray with non-stick spray.
3. In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until all crumbs are moist. Lightly press crumb mixture into prepared baking dish.
4. Use an electric mixer or handheld beaters to beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add in sugar and continue mixing.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, to cream cheese mixture, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and beat again.
6. In a saute pan over low heat, cook the cherries, stirring occasionally. Add the sugar after 1-2 minutes and stir. When cherries have started to soften, after about 4-5 minutes, mash the cherries, leaving some chunks. The mixture should be a little saucy, so add water, 1 tbsp at a time, if necessary.
7. Pour mixture the cream cheese mixture on top of graham cracker crust and smooth with a rubber spatula.
8. Spoon cherry mixture on top of cream cheese mixture, distributing spoonfuls evenly. Swirl with rubber spatula.
9. Bake in a preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until center no longer wobbles and edges are just starting to turn golden.
10. Remove from oven and let come to room temperature. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving

• Calories: 425