Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cheese Bars
Indulge in the irresistible combination of sweet and tangy with these Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cheese Bars—a delightful dessert that blends the creamy richness of cheesecake with the perfect balance of semi-sweet chocolate chips and tart dried cranberries. Featuring a buttery, golden-baked crust as the base, these bars are layered with a silky cream cheese filling that's studded with festive pops of flavor. Quick and easy to prepare in just 15 minutes of prep time, they're baked to perfection in under 30 minutes and chilled for a cool, creamy finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or an everyday sweet treat, these bars are as beautiful as they are scrumptious. Whether you're a cheesecake lover or seeking a unique dessert bar recipe, this dish is sure to impress.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cups granulated sugar
- 0.75 cups unsalted butter, melted
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 0.75 cups powdered sugar
- 1 pieces large egg
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 0.75 cups dried cranberries
- 0.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 0.25 teaspoons salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal later.
In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms a crumbly dough.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Use the back of a measuring cup to ensure it's tightly packed and smooth. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden, then set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined and silky.
Fold the dried cranberries and chocolate chips into the cheesecake mixture until evenly distributed.
Pour the cream cheese filling over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly jiggles in the center when shaken.
Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool to room temperature in the pan. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to fully set.
Using the parchment paper overhang, carefully lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into 12 squares using a sharp knife.
Serve chilled and enjoy! Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
363 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.3 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.1 g | 65% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 69 mg | 23% | |
| Sodium | 112 mg | 5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.3 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.2 g | ||
| Protein | 3.9 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 27 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 46 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
