Cherry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

$- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted - 2 cups cream cheese, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup sour cream - 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and roughly chopped - ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - 2 tablespoons cornstarch - Pinch of salt When measuring graham cracker crumbs, use a dry measuring cup. Pack the crumbs lightly for accuracy. For the butter, make sure it is fully melted for a smooth crust. Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture in your cheesecake. Always soften cream cheese before mixing to avoid lumps. Fresh cherries give a nice bite, but frozen ones work well too. Just make sure to thaw and drain them before use. If you have no graham crackers, use crushed vanilla wafers or digestive biscuits. You can swap unsalted butter for coconut oil if you prefer a dairy-free option. For a lighter cheesecake, try Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. You can also use almond or oat milk cream cheese as a dairy-free alternative. If you want less sugar, use a sugar substitute like erythritol, but adjust to taste. 1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan. You can also line it with parchment paper. This will help when removing the bars later. 2. Make the Crust: In a bowl, mix 1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs with ½ cup of melted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan. It should be even. Bake for 8 minutes, then take it out and let it cool a bit. 3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat 2 cups of softened cream cheese with an electric mixer. Mix until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup of granulated sugar while mixing. 4. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Mix in 2 large eggs, one at a time. Make sure each egg is fully mixed before adding the next. Now, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 cup of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Mix until everything is creamy and smooth. 5. Fold in Cherry and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in 1 cup of chopped cherries and ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Be careful not to overmix. You want some cherry pieces to stay intact. 6. Pour and Bake: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center should jiggle a bit. 7. Cool and Chill: After baking, take it out and let it cool at room temperature. Once cool, refrigerate it for at least 4 hours. Chilling overnight is best to make the bars firm. 8. Slice and Serve: When ready, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper edges. Cut into squares and serve chilled. For a nice touch, sprinkle cocoa powder or drizzle chocolate sauce on top. Fresh cherries make a lovely garnish! - Overmixing the filling: This can create a tough texture. Mix just until smooth. - Not cooling the crust: Let it cool before adding the filling. This helps keep the layers separate. - Skipping the chill time: Refrigerate the bars for at least four hours. This helps them set well. - Add a splash of almond extract: This gives the bars a nice depth of flavor. - Use different chocolate: Try dark chocolate or white chocolate for a fun twist. - Mix in some spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth and richness. - Use colorful plates: Bright plates make the bars pop. - Garnish with whipped cream: A dollop of cream adds texture and looks beautiful. - Add fresh mint leaves: A sprig of mint adds color and a fresh scent. {{image_2}} You can change the fruit in these cheesecake bars. Try using raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries. Each fruit adds a new flavor. Cherries are sweet and tart, while raspberries bring a bright note. Blueberries add a mild sweetness. Strawberries give a classic taste. Choose your favorite fruit for a twist! You don’t have to stick to semi-sweet chocolate chips. Dark chocolate chips give a richer flavor. White chocolate chips add sweetness and creaminess. You can even mix chocolates for a fun blend. Each type will change the taste and feel of your bars. You can easily make these bars gluten-free. Use gluten-free graham crackers for the crust. For a dairy-free version, swap cream cheese and sour cream for dairy-free options. Look for nut-based or soy cream cheese. These changes keep the bars tasty without gluten or dairy. Enjoy your treats no matter your dietary needs! To keep your cherry chocolate chip cheesecake bars fresh, store them in the fridge. Use an airtight container to prevent drying out. If you cut them into squares, place parchment paper between layers. This keeps them from sticking together. Make sure the bars are completely cool before you store them. If they are warm, they may sweat and become soggy. These cheesecake bars stay fresh in the fridge for about 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap. Then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will stay good for about 3 months in the freezer. When you are ready to eat them, thaw them in the fridge overnight. You can enjoy these bars cold, but if you prefer them warm, here is what to do. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the bars on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10 minutes or until warm. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Enjoy your warm cherry chocolate chip cheesecake bars as a sweet treat! Yes, you can use frozen cherries. They work well in this recipe. Just thaw and drain them first. This step helps prevent extra moisture. Frozen cherries also add great flavor. Their sweetness pairs well with the cheesecake. Check the edges of the bars. They should be set and look firm. The center will still jiggle slightly. This jiggle is okay. It firms up as it cools. A toothpick test helps too. Insert it in the center; it should come out mostly clean. Absolutely! You can prepare these bars a day or two ahead. Just store them in the fridge. They taste even better after chilling. This time lets the flavors meld. When ready, cut and serve. Enjoy the delicious treat with friends and family! In this guide, we covered key ingredients for your cheesecake bars, plus tips for quality. I shared step-by-step instructions for preparation, baking, and serving. We also discussed common mistakes and ways to enhance flavor. Explore variations with different fruits and chocolate for your taste. Finally, I provided storage advice to keep your bars fresh. Enjoy making delicious cheesecake bars that impress!$

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

Indulge in the delectable flavors of Cherry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars! This easy recipe combines creamy cheesecake, sweet cherries, and rich chocolate chips all on a buttery graham cracker crust. Perfect for any occasion, these bars are a crowd-pleaser. Discover how to make them step-by-step and impress your friends and family. Click through for a delightful treat that will leave everyone craving more!

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Ingredients

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

2 cups cream cheese, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup sour cream

1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and roughly chopped

½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well mixed. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even layer. Bake for 8 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.

Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add the sugar, continuing to mix until fully incorporated.

Add Eggs and Flavorings: Mix in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully combined before adding the next. Then, mix in the vanilla extract, sour cream, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is creamy and smooth.

Fold in Cherry and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chopped cherries and chocolate chips, being careful not to overmix, to keep some of the cherry pieces intact.

Pour and Bake: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust in the baking pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are set, but the center still has a slight jiggle.

Cool and Chill: Remove from the oven and let it cool at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm up the bars.

Slice and Serve: Once chilled, lift the cheesecake bars out of the pan using the parchment paper edges. Cut into squares and serve chilled.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes | Servings: 16 squares

- Presentation Tips: Serve the bars on a lovely plate with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or a drizzle of chocolate sauce on top. Garnish with fresh cherries for an extra touch!