Cherry Almond Cheesecake Bars have a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy almond-flavored cheesecake filling, a layer of cherry pie filling, and a golden crumble topping! Heavenly. If you love these cheesecake bars, you will also want to try my Strawberry Cheesecake Bars! They have the same creamy cheesecake goodness with a sweet strawberry twist.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Crust: I love a classic graham cracker crust with cheesecake, and it works perfectly with these bars. If you don’t want to make your own, a store-bought crust will work, too. (But it might not be as thick.) If you want something different (and just as delicious), try a shortbread crust, vanilla wafer, or pretzel crust. Make sure each crumb is coated in the melted butter so the crust doesn’t fall apart!
- Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature before making the cheesecake filling. (This will prevent it from having lumps.) Mix it with eggs, granulated sugar, almond extract, and kosher salt.
- Almond Extract: I used almond extract in the cheesecake filling because it is a classic pairing with cherries. If you don’t like almond flavor, you can definitely use vanilla extract instead. It will give the bars a smooth, warm, delicious flavor!
- Cherry Pie Filling: For the most flavorful pie filling (better than store-bought) give my homemade cherry pie filling a try! I could eat it with a spoon! Or, canned pie filling would work, too.
- Crumble Topping: The crumble topping is a sweet, buttery layer that adds a little crunch to the bars. It’s made with flour, brown sugar, salt, and melted butter. I love a good crumble topping; it is the perfect finish to these delicious cheesecake bars!
Can I Use Other Fruit Fillings In Cheesecake Bars?
Yes! You can use a different pie filling if you want to try a new flavor. Strawberry, blueberry pie filling (from my blueberry lemon cream pie), or raspberry would all taste great and add a fruity twist. Peach or apple pie filling would make the bars warm and cozy, especially with the crumble on top. For a combination of flavors, try my Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars. I want to try my pear pie filling for a unique flavor! No matter which one you pick, these cheesecake bars will still be creamy, sweet, and delicious!
How To Check Cheesecake Bars For Doneness
Since these bars have a crumble topping, make sure the topping turns golden brown. If you have a food thermometer, check the center of the cheesecake—it should reach 150°-155°F. (Don’t worry if you make a hole in the cheesecake—the topping will cover it!) Let the bars cool at room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator to chill and set completely. I recommend chilling them overnight to ensure they set perfectly.
How To Store Cherry Almond Cheesecake Bars
To store cheesecake bars in the refrigerator, cover them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They will stay good for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the bars.
How To Freeze Cheesecake Bars
For longer storage, freeze the cheesecake bars. Here is how:
- Let the bars cool and set completely.
- Remove the bars from the pan and place them on a plate (cut or uncut).
- Put the cheesecake bars (uncovered) in the freezer for about an hour, or until solid.
- After an hour, remove the bars and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.
- Place the wrapped bars into a sealed freezer bag or wrap them in aluminum foil.
- Be sure to label and date the packaging. They will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
- When ready to enjoy, let the cheesecake bars thaw in the refrigerator.
Cherry Almond Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups (126 g) graham cracker crumbs, about 10-12 crushed graham cracker sheets
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
Filling
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups (396 g) cherry pie filling
Crumble Topping
- ¾ cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the crust firmly into the bottom of the lined baking dish.
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese, eggs, granulated sugar, almond extract, and kosher salt until smooth. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the prepared crust.
- Carefully spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer. Gently spread the cherries and filling to create an even layer. Set aside as you prepare the crumble topping.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and kosher salt.
- Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms a crumbly dough.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the cherry layer.
- Bake the bars for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and the crumble topping is lightly golden.
- Transfer the baking dish to a wire rack and let the bars cool completely at room temperature, about 1 hour.
- Once cooled, transfer the dish to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour, up to overnight, before cutting and serving.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I love these bars! It is almost like having cheesecake and cherry pie all in one dessert bar.
Elizabeth
I knew I would love these bars, and I did. I love cherry cheesecake, and the crumble topping really made the bars stand out!
Bella
These cheesecake bars are delicious! The cherry almond combo is perfect, and the crumble topping gives it a nice texture.
Stephanie
I thought the almond flavor was a nice surprise in the bars! The crust was so buttery, and the cheesecake part was creamy. I ate way more than I meant to!
Annabelle
These bars are great and perfect for anyone who loves cherry cheesecake, but better!
