🍒 No-Bake Cranberry or Cherry Cheesecake Bars: The Ultimate Holiday Dessert 🍰
This recipe is inspired by the gorgeous, layered dessert bar featuring a creamy, rich cheesecake filling, a crunchy graham cracker crust, and a vibrant, glistening fruit topping. This easy, no-bake approach makes it a perfect, stress-free dessert for any gathering, especially during the holidays.
📝 Ingredients
For the Buttery Graham Cracker Crust:
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1.5 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs: Finely crushed.
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🍪 Benefit Highlight (Graham Crackers): Provides a source of carbohydrates for quick energy and is generally low in saturated fat. They offer a simple, satisfying base texture.
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1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
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6 Tbsp Unsalted Butter: Melted.
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🧈 Benefit Highlight (Butter): A source of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. It provides richness and helps bind the crust for structure and flavor.
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For the Rich No-Bake Cheesecake Filling:
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2 (8-ounce) Packages Cream Cheese: Full-fat, softened to room temperature.
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🧀 Benefit Highlight (Cream Cheese): Offers a significant amount of Calcium and Vitamin A. It is primarily a source of fat, which aids in satiety and absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.
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1 Cup Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar)
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1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
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1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream (Cold): Whipped to stiff peaks.
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🥛 Benefit Highlight (Heavy Cream): Contains healthy fats and choline, which supports cell function and brain health. Its primary role here is to lighten the filling for an airy texture.
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For the Glossy Fruit Topping:
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1 (21-ounce) Can Cherry Pie Filling OR Cranberry Sauce/Filling: (As suggested by the image, cherry or whole cranberry is ideal).
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🍒 Benefit Highlight (Cherries/Cranberries): These fruits are packed with Antioxidants (like anthocyanins), which combat cell damage. Cranberries, in particular, are known for their high content of Vitamin C and support urinary tract health.
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