Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

Bars + Cheesecake
November 13, 2018
Bars + Cheesecake
November 13, 2018

Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

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Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bar with bite taken out

I think we can nearly unanimously agree that cheesecake is delicious. But I think we can also nearly unanimously agree that making cheesecake can be a lot of work. The lining of the cheesecake pan. The water bath. The nearly 3 pounds of cream cheese necessary to get those thick, fat slices. Always worth it, but not always possible to fit into our busy schedules.

Cheesecake bars, on the other hand, make cheesecake more accessible, more easy to make, and — woohoo! — more easy to consume. These Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars are the perfect fall cheesecake that you need in your life. They’re creamy, luxurious, and flavored with cranberries, orange zest, and a walnut graham cracker crust.

They fit into nearly every type of situation: for hanging out solo and eating a cheesecake bar, for taking to a party, for making for Thanksgiving or Christmas, for baking with your friends. All of it.

sliced Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars on countertop

One way I like to elevate these bars, besides making them with the delicious flavor combo of cranberry walnut, is to use crème fraîche instead of sour cream. Using crème fraîche makes these bars extra creamy, and adds a subtle hint of tang that you wouldn’t otherwise get if using just cream cheese. My favorite crème fraîche comes from Vermont Creamery, because it’s mild, creamy, and made with fresh cow’s milk.

You could even dollop some crème fraîche on top of these bars to really complete the experience. That would be such a gorgeous presentation!

Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

How to make cheesecake bars

Making these ridiculously good walnut cranberry cheesecake bars requires some layering, but this recipe comes together in a jiffy. To make these easy cheesecake bars, you have to:

Prep the cranberry topping — The cranberry swirl on top of these cheesecake bars is a simple mixture of frozen cranberries, white sugar, water, and orange zest. Cook that down in a small pot until the cranberries break down completely, and then set aside to cool.

Make the walnut crust — The crust takes less than 5 minutes to whip up, thanks to my good friend the food processor. Add all the crust ingredients into the food processor and blend until it resembles fine sand. Press the walnut crust into a greased pan and set aside while you make the cheesecake filling.

Make the cheesecake filling — The creamy cheesecake filling is made of cream cheese, crème fraîche, eggs, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Beat all that together in a standing mixture, and then pour over the walnut crust. Swirl the cranberry puree into the cheesecake and bake.

Bake and cool — The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for the cheesecake bars to cool. You first need to let them come to room temperature on your counter and then they have to chill in the fridge for a few hours. Waiting is torture, I know, but that first bite of perfectly creamy cranberry cheesecake bar will be so worth it.

sliced Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

How to store cranberry cheesecake bars

Just like cheesecake, these bars should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. They should keep well for up to a week, although they didn’t last that long at my house. I suppose you could also freeze these bars if you wanted to and then pop them into the fridge the day before you want one. I haven’t tried this method for myself, but I see no reason why it wouldn’t work!

Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars with container of creme fraiche

Anywho. Email your family. Tell them you’re putting these Cranberry Walnut Cheesecake Bars on the roster for Thanskgiving. Then thank me later 🙂

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Cranberry Walnut Cheesecake Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 5 reviews

Totally creamy, slightly nutty, and utterly delicious, these Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars make for a crowd pleasing winter dessert!

Totally creamy, slightly nutty, and utterly delicious, these Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars make for a crowd pleasing winter dessert!

  • Author: Sarah | Broma Bakery
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 9 bars
  • Author: Sarah | Broma Bakery
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 9 bars
Units:

Ingredients

for the cranberry puree

  • 6 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • zest of 1/2 orange

for the crust

  • 3/4 cup walnuts
  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 9 tablespoons butter, melted

for the cheesecake

  • 16 oz full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Vermont Creamery Crème Fraîche, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

Instructions

    1. Cook cranberry puree by combining all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Use a whisk or spoon to help break down the cranberries.
    2. Once cooked, place a fine mesh strainer over a small bowl and, using a spatula, squeeze through all of the liquid and dispose of the solids. Let cool to room temperature.
    3. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
    4. In a food processor, combine the walnuts, graham cracker crumbs, and sugar. Pulse until the mixture resembles a fine sand and the walnuts are completely pulverized. Pour in butter and pulse until it comes together. Press the crust firmly and evenly into the pan.
    5. Meanwhile in a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese over medium-low speed for 1 minute. Do not use a higher speed, or you will incorporate too much air into the batter. Scrape the cream cheese from the sides of the bowl halfway through mixing. 
    6. Add in the crème fraîche, powdered sugar, and vanilla, beating for 30 seconds. 
    7. Add in the eggs, one by one, beating until fully incorporated. 
    8. Pour batter over crust. Drizzle the cranberry puree on top. With a skewer or chopstick, make a swirl pattern.
    9. Bake for 45-55 minutes. The cheesecake should be  slightly puffed, but should not be golden. Jiggly is ok! It will continue to cook as it cools.
    10. Allow to cool for 1 hour before placing into fridge to cool completely, about 3 hours more. Cut into bars and serve!

More cheesecake desserts from Broma Bakery:

Blackberry Cheesecake Brownies

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Mini Pumpkin Spice Cheesecakes

Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Honey Walnut Fig Cheesecake Bars

This post is sponsored by Vermont Creamery. All text and opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands who help make Broma possible!

Walnut Cranberry Cheesecake Bars on countertop

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  1. I made these today and they were pretty good but I thought they were lacking in sweetness. And I don’t even like things very sweet. It just didn’t taste desserty enough. It just tasted like regular cream cheese with cranberries and nuts.