Description

Christmas Raspberry Cheesecake Crinkle Bars — a festive layered dessert with a buttery cookie base, creamy cheesecake filling, and glossy raspberry swirls. Perfect for Christmas cookie trays, gifting, potlucks, and make-ahead holiday baking. These bars slice cleanly and offer a nostalgic holiday flavor that looks beautiful without any decorating.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar (for cheesecake layer)
1/2 cup raspberry jam, warmed slightly

Instructions

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined. Whisk flour and baking powder together; add to wet ingredients and mix into a soft dough. Press two-thirds of the dough into a lined 8×8 or 9×9 pan. Beat cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar until smooth; spread evenly over the dough base. Warm raspberry jam slightly, drop spoonfuls over the cheesecake layer, and swirl gently. Break reserved dough into small pieces and scatter over top. Bake at 350°F for 28–32 minutes, until edges are golden and center is just set. Cool completely, then chill at least 2 hours before slicing. Lift from pan using parchment and slice with a warm knife.

Notes

Bring cream cheese fully to room temp for a smooth cheesecake layer.
Warm jam only until spreadable so it swirls easily.
Chill bars before cutting for clean edges.
Store in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Use parchment overhang for easy lifting.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 245
Sugar: 19g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 31g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: Christmas dessert, raspberry cheesecake bars, holiday cookie tray, cheesecake crinkle bars, raspberry swirl bars, festive baking, make ahead dessert