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Gingerbread Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 136 reviews

These Gingerbread Cheesecake Bars are a festive and indulgent dessert featuring a crunchy gingersnap crust topped with a creamy, spiced cheesecake layer. Finished with fluffy vanilla whipped cream and optional crushed gingersnap topping, they perfectly capture the warm flavors of gingerbread with a rich, velvety texture, making them an ideal treat for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1 1/2 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs (about 25–30 gingersnap cookies)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Cheesecake Layer

  • 16 ounces (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping

  • 2/3 cup heavy cream (very cold)
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup crushed gingersnap cookies (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars later.
  2. Make the Crust: In a food processor, pulse the gingersnap cookies until finely ground. Combine the cookie crumbs with melted butter and granulated sugar, mixing well. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
  3. Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Once baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool while preparing the cheesecake layer.
  4. Adjust Oven Temperature: Lower the oven temperature to 325°F in preparation for baking the cheesecake layer.
  5. Prepare Cheesecake Batter: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, mixing until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating in between additions. Stir in molasses, vanilla extract, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and salt. Continue beating until the batter is smooth and fully incorporated.
  6. Assemble and Bake Cheesecake: Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled gingersnap crust and spread evenly. Place the pan inside a larger baking dish or tray and create a water bath by pouring hot water into the larger dish until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan. Bake at 325°F for 40-45 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly when shaken gently.
  7. Cool in Oven: After baking, prop the oven door open slightly and allow the cheesecake bars to cool inside the oven for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
  8. Final Cooling: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
  9. Make Whipped Cream Topping: Using a hand or stand mixer, whip the very cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
  10. Top and Chill: Spread the whipped cream over the cooled cheesecake bars evenly. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight to set and chill thoroughly.
  11. Serve: Before serving, sprinkle the optional crushed gingersnap cookies evenly over the whipped cream topping. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan, slice, and enjoy.

Notes

  • Using a water bath helps to bake the cheesecake evenly and prevents cracks.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the batter.
  • Be sure the heavy cream is very cold before whipping for best volume.
  • You can prepare the bars a day in advance to allow flavors to meld and chilling to set the cheesecake perfectly.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free gingersnap cookies and gluten-free flour.

Keywords: gingerbread cheesecake bars, holiday dessert, ginger snap crust, spiced cheesecake, whipped cream topping, festive bars

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/gingerbread-cheesecake-bars-recipe/