Cranberry-Orange Cheesecake Bars

Dried cranberries add a tart taste to these orange-flavored cheesecake bars that are perfect on your holiday dessert tray, or for an after-dinner offering any time of the year.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 369 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 6 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine butter and brown sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Stir in flour and walnuts until crumbly. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.

Step 4

Meanwhile, combine cream cheese and white sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add cranberries, orange juice, eggs, orange zest, and vanilla extract, mix until well combined. Spread cream cheese filling onto cooled crust.

Step 5

Bake until surface of cheesecake is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack, and allow the cheesecake to cool at room temperature, about 1 hour. Refrigerate until completely chilled, 4 hours to overnight.

Step 6

Cut into 12 bars and serve.