Delicious Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Bars with Graham Cracker Crust – Best Recipe!

Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Bars with Graham Cracker Crust are a delicious dessert that combines the sweetness of cheesecake and the tartness of cranberries. The graham cracker crust is the perfect base for the creamy filling, and the orange zest adds a nice citrus flavor. These bars are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering or special occasion.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
• 2 tablespoons orange juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1/4 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla and orange zest.
4. Pour cream cheese mixture over graham cracker crust. Sprinkle with chopped cranberries.
5. In a small bowl, combine orange juice and 2 tablespoons sugar. Drizzle over cranberries.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. Cool before cutting into bars.

Tips

• For a sweeter cheesecake, add an additional ¼ cup of sugar to the cream cheese mixture.
• You can use frozen cranberries in this recipe, just make sure to thaw and drain them before chopping and adding to the cheesecake.
• If you don’t have fresh orange zest, you can use 1 teaspoon of orange extract in the cream cheese mixture.

Serving Suggestions

These bars can be served as-is or topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of orange zest. For a festive touch, you can also top with a few fresh cranberries. These bars can also be served as a snack or a light dessert.

Storage

These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container.