A delightful blend of creamy cheesecake, tart cherries, and crunchy pistachios in every bite.
Ingredients:
Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Layer:
16 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 cup sour cream
Cherry Topping:
2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
Garnish:
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, chopped pistachios, and sugar.
Add melted butter and mix until crumbs are well-coated and resemble wet sand.
Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Layer
In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
Gently fold in sour cream until just combined.
Pour cheesecake batter over the cooled crust, spreading evenly.
Step 3: Cherry Topping In a small saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cherries release their juices and mixture begins to simmer. Stir in cornstarch mixture and continue to cook until topping thickens (about 2-3 minutes). Allow cherry topping to cool slightly before spreading over the cheesecake layer.
Step 4: Bake Bake cheesecake bars in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to fully set.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve Once chilled, sprinkle top with chopped pistachios for added crunch.
Enjoy these decadent Cherry Pistachio Cheesecake Bars, a perfect blend of flavors and textures!
