Description

These Heavenly Cherry Pistachio Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust with a creamy cream cheese filling, studded with fresh cherries and crunchy pistachios. Baked to perfection and chilled for a smooth, luscious texture, these bars are a delightful blend of fruity, nutty, and sweet flavors, perfect for any dessert occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp granulated sugar

Cheesecake Filling

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Toppings

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
3/4 cup shelled pistachios, chopped
1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar until well combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking pan to form the crust. Bake for 8-10 minutes until it is set and slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), salt, and all-purpose flour. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the batter is smooth.
Assemble the Bars: Sprinkle half of the chopped pistachios evenly over the cooled crust. Pour the cheesecake batter over the pistachios and spread it out evenly. Evenly distribute the pitted cherries on top of the batter, then sprinkle the remaining pistachios over the cherries for a crunchy topping.
Bake the Cheesecake Bars: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The edges should be set and the center slightly jiggly but mostly firm. Be careful not to overbake to maintain moistness in the bars.
Cool and Chill: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight to let the cheesecake fully set and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Serve: Before serving, lightly dust the top with powdered sugar. Slice into bars and serve cold to enjoy the creamy texture combined with the fruity cherries and crunchy pistachios.

Notes

For best results, use fresh cherries in season or frozen cherries that have been thawed and drained well.
If you prefer a stronger almond flavor, increase the almond extract slightly but be cautious as it can overpower the other flavors.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in the batter.
Do not overbake to keep the cheesecake bars moist and creamy.
Storing the bars overnight in the refrigerator improves texture and flavor.
These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cherry cheesecake bars, pistachio cheesecake, baked cheesecake bars, creamy cherry dessert, nutty cheesecake bars