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Cozy Gingerbread Cheesecake Bars: Best Easy Holiday Dessert

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Chewy, tangy, and warm gingerbread cheesecake bars with a rich molasses crust. This easy holiday dessert combines the comfort of gingerbread with the creaminess of cheesecake for a perfect crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour
  • ½ cup Unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup Brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup Molasses
  • 1 tsp Ground ginger
  • ½ tsp Ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Baking soda
  • ¼ tsp Salt
  • 16 oz Cream cheese, room temperature
  • ½ cup Granulated sugar
  • 2 Large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp Ground ginger
  • 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp Cloves

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides, and spray with non-stick spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon. Add softened butter and molasses, stirring until the mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when squeezed.
  3. Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes to pre-bake the crust, then remove from oven.
  4. While the crust bakes, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Scrape down the sides.
  5. Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix. Add vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, mixing gently until incorporated.
  6. Pour the cheesecake filling over the hot pre-baked crust and spread evenly.
  7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center should jiggle slightly like firm Jell-O.
  8. Let the bars cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Lift them out using the parchment paper and cool completely on a wire rack.
  9. Once cool, slice into squares. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Ensure cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature to prevent lumps. Do not overmix the batter to avoid cracks. The bars taste better the next day as flavors meld. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread cheesecake, holiday dessert, molasses crust, easy baking, Christmas treats, cream cheese bars, gingerbread bars

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/cozy-gingerbread-cheesecake-bars-best-easy-holiday-dessert/