Cherry Almond Cheesecake Crumble Bars
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Cherry Almond Cheesecake Crumble Bars combine everything I love about summer baking in one pan. Sweet cherries, creamy cheesecake filling, buttery crumble, rolled oats, and sliced almonds bake together into a dessert that’s somewhere between cheesecake bars, crumb bars, and coffee cake. They’re easy to make, slice beautifully, and somehow taste even better after chilling in the refrigerator.
I HAVE A THING FOR CHERRIES.
Every summer I buy way too many of them and somehow convince myself I’m going to eat them all before they get soft.
Spoiler alert: I never do.
So instead, they usually end up in a dessert like this.
These bars have everything I love. A buttery crumble, a creamy cheesecake layer, sweet cherries tucked into every bite, and just enough almond flavor to make the whole thing taste like it came from a bakery.
They’re the kind of dessert that’s equally acceptable with an afternoon coffee or after dinner. Which is convenient because I’ve definitely eaten them both ways.
And if you can manage to let them chill overnight before cutting into them, they’re somehow even better the next day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect fresh cherry dessert
- Creamy cheesecake filling
- Buttery almond crumble topping
- Easy make-ahead dessert
- Great for potlucks and holidays
- Slices beautifully
- Delicious served chilled
- Freezer friendly
Ingredients Needed To Make Cherry Almond Cheesecake Crumble Bars
- All-purpose flour: Creates the buttery crumble base.
- Rolled oats: Add texture and help create a sturdy crust.
- Butter: Binds everything together while creating a tender crumb.
- Almond extract: Enhances the cherry flavor and gives these bars their bakery-style taste.
- Sliced almonds: Add crunch to the topping.
- Cream cheese: Creates the rich cheesecake filling.
- Sugar: Sweetens the filling without overpowering the cherries.
- Fresh cherries: become soft and jammy while baking and provide the perfect sweet-tart contrast to the cheesecake filling.
How To Make Cherry Almond Cheesecake Crumble Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish and line it with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- In a mixing bowl combine the flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the melted butter, egg, and almond extract. Stir until crumbly.
- Press two-thirds of the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Reserve the remaining crumb mixture and stir in the sliced almonds.
- In a separate bowl beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and almond extract until smooth.
- Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the crust.
- Scatter the cherries over the cheesecake layer.
- Sprinkle the reserved almond crumble evenly over the top.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
- Allow the bars to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing.
Tips For The Best Cherry Cheesecake Bars
- Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smooth filling.
- Fresh sweet cherries provide the best flavor.
- Chill completely before slicing.
- Line the pan with parchment for easy removal.
- Toasted almonds add extra flavor if desired.
Storage & Freezing
- Store Cherry Almond Cheesecake Crumble Bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, freeze individual bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- These bars are actually even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop.
Cherry Almond Cheesecake Crumble Bars
Equipment
- 8 inch square baking dish
- Hand mixer
Ingredients
Crumble
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour))
- 12 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
Cherry Layer
- 2 cups fresh cherries (pitted)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and butter an 8-inch square baking dish and line with parchment paper.
- In a bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and oats.
- Add melted butter, egg, and almond extract. Stir until crumbly.
- Press two-thirds of the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Stir sliced almonds into the remaining crumble mixture and reserve.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and almond extract until smooth.
- Spread the cheesecake filling over the crust.
- Scatter cherries evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Sprinkle reserved almond crumble over the top.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature on the counter.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours before slicing.
Notes
- Fresh cherries work best for flavor and texture.
- Allow bars to chill completely before cutting.
- Almond extract can be replaced with vanilla extract.
- These bars taste even better the next day.
- Store chilled until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes. Thaw and drain them thoroughly before using. Excess moisture can make the cheesecake layer soft and prevent the bars from setting properly.
No. Vanilla extract works well if you prefer a more traditional cheesecake flavor. Almond extract simply enhances the natural flavor of the cherries.
The cheesecake filling continues to set as it cools. Chilling for at least 2 hours helps create clean slices and improves the overall texture.
Absolutely. These Cherry Almond Cheesecake Crumble Bars are ideal for making a day ahead since the flavors continue to develop overnight.
The crumble topping should be lightly golden brown and the cheesecake layer should appear mostly set with only a slight jiggle in the center.
Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, and strawberries all work well using the same method.
