These Cherry Almond Cream Cheese Bars are a delightful treat, offering a perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and crunch. With a buttery sugar cookie base, rich cream cheese filling, and a burst of juicy cherry topping, these bars are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them at a family gathering or simply craving something sweet, these bars are sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
This easy-to-make dessert combines the simplicity of a sugar cookie mix with a luscious cream cheese filling, topped with vibrant cherry pie filling and crunchy toasted almonds. The result is a beautifully layered bar that’s both indulgent and easy to prepare. No need for complicated ingredients or intricate techniques—just a few simple steps, and you’ll have a dessert that’s sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Quick and Easy
With a sugar cookie mix as the base, this recipe comes together in no time. It’s a simple, no-fuss dessert that’s perfect for busy days.
2. Rich and Creamy
The cream cheese filling provides a luscious, creamy texture that perfectly complements the sweet cherry topping.
3. Versatile
You can swap the cherry filling for other fruit pie fillings like blueberry or strawberry, depending on your preference or what you have on hand.
4. Perfect Balance of Flavors
The combination of the sweet and tangy cream cheese filling with the almond crunch and cherry sweetness creates a well-balanced dessert.
5. Great for Gatherings
These bars are easy to cut and serve, making them ideal for parties, picnics, or any event where you need to feed a crowd.
Ingredients
For the Base:
- Sugar cookie mix
- Cold unsalted butter, cubed
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- Softened cream cheese
- Granulated sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Vanilla extract
- Egg
For the Topping:
- Cherry pie filling
- Toasted sliced almonds
Variations
Berry Delight
Instead of cherry pie filling, try using blueberry, raspberry, or strawberry pie filling for a different fruity twist.
Nut-Free Version
If you prefer a nut-free version, you can skip the toasted almonds and top the bars with more pie filling or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Chocolate Lovers
For a chocolatey variation, sprinkle some mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the top after baking.
Cinnamon Sugar
Add a pinch of cinnamon and sugar to the cookie base for a warm, spiced flavor that pairs beautifully with the cream cheese filling.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Step 2: Prepare the Sugar Cookie Base
In a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix with cubed cold unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the dough forms small crumbs. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, and egg until smooth and creamy. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the sugar cookie base.
Step 4: Add the Cherry Topping
Spoon the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, and the cream cheese filling has set. Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting them into squares.
Step 6: Add the Almonds
Once the bars are cooled, sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds on top for a bit of crunch.
Step 7: Serve
Cut into squares and serve. These bars can be enjoyed at room temperature or chilled for an extra refreshing treat.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for the smoothest filling.
- Don’t Overmix the Filling: Overmixing the cream cheese filling can cause it to become too airy. Mix until smooth, but don’t overdo it.
- Toast the Almonds: Toasting the almonds brings out their natural flavor and adds a crunchy texture. Just heat them in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden.
- Cool Before Cutting: Let the bars cool completely before cutting to avoid the filling from spilling out.
How to Serve
These Cherry Almond Cream Cheese Bars are perfect as a sweet treat after dinner or as an afternoon snack with coffee or tea. Serve them on a dessert platter or bring them to a potluck or picnic. They’re also great for holiday gatherings or birthdays.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer, you can store them in the fridge for a cooler, firmer texture.
Freezing
To freeze, cut the bars into squares and place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, leave them at room temperature for a few hours or place them in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
These bars can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you prefer them warm, you can microwave them for 10-15 seconds or warm them in the oven at 250°F for 5-7 minutes.
FAQs
1. Can I use a homemade sugar cookie dough?
Yes, you can substitute homemade sugar cookie dough for the store-bought mix. Just ensure it’s firm enough to press into the pan.
2. Can I use a different nut instead of almonds?
Yes, feel free to use chopped pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts as a substitute for almonds.
3. Can I use frozen cherries instead of cherry pie filling?
You can make your own cherry topping by cooking frozen cherries with a bit of sugar and cornstarch until thickened.
4. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour in the cookie base for a gluten-free version.
5. How do I prevent the bars from sticking to the pan?
Line your baking pan with parchment paper or grease it well to make removing the bars easier.
6. Can I use a different fruit filling?
Yes, you can substitute the cherry pie filling with any fruit pie filling, such as blueberry, strawberry, or peach.
7. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, these bars can be made a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
8. How can I make these bars dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and dairy-free butter to make these bars dairy-free.
9. Can I add more fruit to the filling?
Feel free to add extra fresh or frozen fruit on top of the cherry filling for added flavor and texture.
10. How do I store leftover bars?
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Conclusion
These Cherry Almond Cream Cheese Bars are the perfect combination of creamy, sweet, and crunchy, making them a must-try treat. Whether you’re serving them at a special event or enjoying them as an everyday indulgence, these bars are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Simple to make and bursting with flavor, they are sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire!
PrintCherry Almond Cream Cheese Bars
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 9–12 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cherry Almond Cheesecake Bars are the perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors, with a rich, creamy cheesecake layer sitting atop a buttery sugar cookie crust. Topped with a generous spoonful of cherry pie filling and toasted sliced almonds, these bars are a crowd-pleasing dessert for any occasion. With easy-to-find ingredients, you can create a delicious treat that looks as good as it tastes!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 8.5 ounces sugar cookie mix
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
For the Topping:
- ½ can cherry pie filling
- ⅓ cup toasted sliced almonds
Instructions
- repare the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix and cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to blend the butter into the cookie mix until it forms a crumbly dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Make the Cheesecake Layer:
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, and egg. Beat until everything is fully combined and smooth.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the prepared cookie crust and spread it evenly.
- Bake the Bars:
- Bake the cheesecake bars in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is set and slightly firm to the touch.
- Allow the bars to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Add the Topping:
- Once chilled, spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the top of the cheesecake layer.
- Sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds over the cherries for an added crunch and flavor.
- Serve:
- Cut the bars into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and crunch!
Notes
- If you prefer a different topping, you can substitute the cherry pie filling with other fruit fillings, like blueberry or raspberry.
- For a deeper almond flavor, try adding almond extract to the cheesecake layer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Bars, Cheesecake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cheesecake Bars, Cherry Cheesecake, Almond Bars, Sugar Cookie Crust, Easy Cheesecake, Fruit Topped Cheesecake Bars