Description
Enjoy these Cherry Pistachio Cheesecake Bars with a creamy filling, crunchy pistachios, and a sweet cherry topping. Perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- For the filling:
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped pistachios, toasted
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- For the topping:
- 1 ½ cups fresh or jarred cherries, pitted and halved (or cherry pie filling)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (optional, depending on cherry sweetness)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Stir until the mixture is well combined and resembles wet sand. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking pan to form an even layer. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Make the Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla extract and flour, then gently fold in the toasted, chopped pistachios. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled graham cracker crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake the Cheesecake Bars: Bake the bars at 325°F (165°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean. Let the bars cool in the pan for about 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
- Prepare the Topping: While the bars are chilling, prepare the cherry topping by halving the cherries and placing them in a small saucepan. If using fresh cherries, add a tablespoon of sugar and cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes, until the cherries release their juices. If using jarred cherry pie filling, simply drain and use as-is.
- Assemble the Bars: Once the cheesecake bars are fully chilled, spoon the cherry topping over the bars and spread evenly. Cut into squares and serve chilled.