Creamy cheesecake bars with a graham‑crust base and vibrant cherry topping—rich, festive and easy to cut and serve to a crowd.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cheesecake in bar form is always a win. You get the luxury of cheesecake without having to worry about a traditional cake pan and crust issues. Topping with cherries adds colour and brightness, making it ideal for holiday dessert tables.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the crust:

graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuits)
melted butter
granulated sugar
For the cheesecake layer:
cream cheese (softened)
granulated sugar
vanilla extract
eggs
sour cream or heavy cream
For the cherry topping:
canned or jarred cherry pie filling (or fresh cherries cooked with sugar)
optional: fresh cherries or whipped cream for garnish

directions

Pre‑heat oven to 325 °F (163 °C). Line an 8×8‑inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar in a bowl. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake for 8‑10 minutes until lightly set. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla and mix. Add eggs one at a time, beating until just combined. Stir in sour cream/heavy cream.
Pour cheesecake mixture over the crust and smooth the top. Bake for approximately 30‑35 minutes, or until the centre is just set (it may still jiggle slightly).
Remove from oven and immediately spoon cherry topping evenly over the cheesecake. Allow bars to cool to room temperature, then chill in refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Once chilled and firm, lift out using parchment overhang, cut into squares, and optionally garnish with fresh cherries or whipped cream.

Servings and timing

Yields about 16 bars from an 8×8 inch pan. Preparation time about 20‑25 minutes, baking time about 35 minutes, plus at least 3 hours chilling — total roughly 4 hours including chilling.

Variations

Use different fruit toppings: blueberry, raspberry, mixed berry or strawberry.
Swirl the cherry topping into the cheesecake layer before baking for a marbled effect.
Add a layer of chocolate ganache between the crust and cheesecake for extra decadence.

storage/reheating

Keep the cheesecake bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cheesecake bars are best served chilled — no reheating needed. If you’d like a slightly softer texture, remove from refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving.

FAQs

Why did my cheesecake crack?

Over‑baking, rapid temperature changes or shock cooling can cause cracking. Remove when centre jiggles slightly, and cool gradually.

Can I use cream cheese from a tub (soft‑serve) instead of block?

Blocks are preferred for consistency. Tub version may have more moisture and affect texture.

Can I freeze cheesecake bars?

Yes — wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Why is my cherry topping runny?

If using fresh cherries, ensure they are cooked with sugar until the juice thickens or use a thickened cherry pie filling.

Can I make a gluten‑free crust?

Yes — use gluten‑free graham crumbs or crushed gluten‑free biscuits and verify no gluten‑cross contamination.

Can I cut the bars before refrigerating?

For clean cuts, it’s best to chill the full cheesecake first, then remove and slice. Cutting warm may result in messy edges.

My crust is soggy — what happened?

If crust wasn’t pre‑baked or was too thin, it may absorb moisture from the cheesecake. Ensure initial bake and press crumbs firmly.

What size should I cut for serving?

2″×2″ (5×5 cm) squares are a good size for dessert bars; you can cut smaller for a dessert buffet.

Is this good for gifting?

Yes — wrap individual bars in parchment or small boxes, and keep chilled until delivered.

Can I add nuts to the crust?

Yes — finely chopped nuts like pecans or almonds can be mixed into the crust for extra texture and flavour.

Conclusion

Cherry Topped Cheesecake Bars offer luxury and ease in one compact dessert. With a creamy cheesecake layer, vibrant cherry topping and simple bar format, they’re perfect for holiday tables, celebrations or anytime you want a rich, shareable treat.