Description
A creamy and tangy cheesecake bar with a nutty pistachio crust and a sweet cherry topping. Perfect for a dessert that’s both elegant and easy to serve.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, finely ground
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios for garnish
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, ground pistachios, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust. Spoon cherry preserves and chopped cherries over the top, then gently swirl with a knife.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is almost set. Let cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Cut into bars and serve chilled.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste. For a more intense cherry flavor, use sour cherry preserves.