Cranberry Almond Swirl Cheesecake Cookie Bars

4.3
(3)

Delicious cheesecake cookie bars with a hint of almond flavoring, swirled with simple homemade cranberry sauce and topped with sliced almonds. Easy to make and perfect for any event!

4
4
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
47 mins
Additional Time:
8 hrs 30 mins
Total Time:
9 hrs 37 mins
Servings:
16
Yield:
1 9x13-inch cheesecake
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 16 servings

  • cooking spray

  • 1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs

  • ½ cup butter, melted

  • 2 tablespoons white sugar

  • ¾ cup fresh cranberries

  • ¼ cup water

  • ¾ cup white sugar, divided

  • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature

  • 2 eggs, at room temperature

  • 5 tablespoons milk, at room temperature

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract

  • â…“ cup sliced almonds, or to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and lightly grease with cooking spray.

  2. Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons sugar in a bowl. Mix until butter evenly coats the crumbs. Transfer to the baking dish and flatten into an even layer.

  3. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Leave oven on; remove crust and let cool.

  4. Place cranberries, water, and 1/4 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Cook until cranberries have burst and mixture is thick, about 7 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Pour sauce into a blender or food processor and puree until smooth, adding more water to thin, if necessary.

  5. Combine remaining sugar and cream cheese in a bowl. Beat using an electric mixer until smooth, scraping down sides of the bowl every 90 seconds, about 4 minutes total. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add milk, lemon juice, and almond extract; mix batter on medium-low until combined.

  6. Spread batter evenly over the cooled crust. Drop spoonfuls of cranberry sauce on top and use a knife to swirl it through the batter. Toss almonds evenly over the cheesecake.

  7. Bake in the preheated oven until set, 27 to 33 minutes. Let cool, at least 30 minutes. Refrigerate until set, 8 hours to overnight. Cut into bars the next day.

Cook's Notes:

Fresh or thawed frozen cranberries would work in this recipe.

Substitute 2 tablespoons water plus 2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur for the 1/4 cup water, if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

257 Calories
18g Fat
20g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Calories 257
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Sodium 190mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 41mg 3%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 81mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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