5 Easy Christmas Cheesecake Bar Recipes

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to spread cheer than with a delicious and easy-to-make Christmas cheesecake bar recipe? These treats are perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, and even cookie exchanges. In this article, we'll explore five easy Christmas cheesecake bar recipes that are sure to become new favorites.

Cheesecake bars are a great alternative to traditional cheesecakes because they're easier to serve and eat. They're also perfect for feeding a crowd, as they can be cut into bars or even bite-sized pieces. Plus, they're incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize the flavors and toppings to fit your holiday theme.

Why Cheesecake Bars are Perfect for Christmas

Cheesecake bars are an excellent choice for Christmas because they're easy to make ahead of time and can be frozen for up to two months. This means you can prepare them well in advance of your holiday party or gathering, taking one more thing off your plate. Plus, they're perfect for a crowd, as they can be cut into bars or even bite-sized pieces.

Another reason cheesecake bars are perfect for Christmas is that they can be customized to fit your holiday theme. You can use holiday-themed sprinkles, candy canes, or even red and green food coloring to make them festive. You can also experiment with different flavors, such as peppermint, gingerbread, or eggnog, to create a unique and delicious taste experience.

Recipe 1: Candy Cane Cheesecake Bars

These candy cane cheesecake bars are a fun and festive twist on traditional cheesecake bars. They feature a candy cane crust, a peppermint-flavored cheesecake filling, and a topping of crushed candy canes.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 cups cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 cup crushed candy canes

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the granulated sugar, eggs, and peppermint extract, and beat until well combined.
4. Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
6. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely before topping with crushed candy canes.

Recipe 2: Gingerbread Cheesecake Bars

These gingerbread cheesecake bars are a delicious and festive twist on traditional cheesecake bars. They feature a gingerbread crust, a spiced cheesecake filling, and a topping of whipped cream and nutmeg.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 cups cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the granulated sugar, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, and beat until well combined.
4. Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
6. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely before topping with whipped cream and nutmeg.

Recipe 3: Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

These eggnog cheesecake bars are a creamy and delicious twist on traditional cheesecake bars. They feature an eggnog-flavored cheesecake filling, a nutmeg-spiced crust, and a topping of whipped cream and nutmeg.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 cups cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the granulated sugar, eggs, eggnog, and nutmeg, and beat until well combined.
4. Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
6. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely before topping with whipped cream and nutmeg.

Recipe 4: Peppermint Mocha Cheesecake Bars

These peppermint mocha cheesecake bars are a delicious and festive twist on traditional cheesecake bars. They feature a peppermint-flavored cheesecake filling, a chocolate cookie crust, and a topping of whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 cups cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the crushed cookies, sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the granulated sugar, eggs, peppermint extract, and cocoa powder, and beat until well combined.
4. Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
6. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely before topping with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

Recipe 5: Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

These cranberry white chocolate cheesecake bars are a delicious and festive twist on traditional cheesecake bars. They feature a white chocolate-flavored cheesecake filling, a cranberry-spiced crust, and a topping of whipped cream and dried cranberries.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 cups cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the granulated sugar, eggs, and white chocolate chips, and beat until well combined.
4. Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
6. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely before topping with whipped cream and dried cranberries.

Get Creative with Your Cheesecake Bars

One of the best things about cheesecake bars is that they're incredibly versatile. You can experiment with different flavors, toppings, and crusts to create a unique and delicious treat. Some other ideas to try include:

• Using different types of cookies or wafers for the crust
• Adding nuts, candy pieces, or dried fruit to the cheesecake filling
• Using different flavors of extract, such as almond or coconut, to create a unique taste experience
• Topping the cheesecake with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or caramel sauce

We hope these five easy Christmas cheesecake bar recipes inspire you to get creative in the kitchen and try something new this holiday season. Whether you're looking for a classic cheesecake flavor or something more unique, these recipes are sure to impress your friends and family.

What's Your Favorite Cheesecake Flavor?

We'd love to hear from you! What's your favorite cheesecake flavor? Do you have a go-to recipe or a unique twist on a classic cheesecake? Let us know in the comments below!