Eggnog Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars
ShareA perfect crowd pleasing holiday cheesecake bar recipe. Creamy eggnog cheesecake bars with swirls of tart homemade cranberry puree.
So, I just finished the first season of Alias. Basically that means I’m totally hooked or I’d have given up after the first few episodes. I’m kind of bummed it’s only five seasons but it’s better than not having a fun new to me series to watch. I know it’s totally far fetched and unrealistic but it’s still a lot of fun to watch. Plus it’s entertaining to see Jennifer Garner kicking butt.
While we’re on the entertainment topic, once again, have you seen the trailer for Maleficent yet? I’m just a tad excited for it. I’m obsessed with all of these grown up versions (aka real people) of my favorite Disney movies from my childhood.
But what I’m most excited for is Catching Fire. I’m sure you’ll be hearing me babble on about my excitement more in the coming days and after the fact. Fingers crossed it’s really good or I’m going to be bummed. If you haven’t read the books, you really need to before watching the movies because like any movie based on a book – the books are worlds better. So, have you read the series and are you going to see it?
Now, these bars. I love pumpkin, I do. but it was time for a change. Cranberry needs the spotlight  for a minute. I just happened to see cartons of eggnog at the store already so this recipe was meant to be. I’ve already shared a mini eggnog cheesecake recipe but I felt the need to make a crowd pleasing easy to make and serve recipe. No special pan required, kind of dessert. This is just that.
These creamy eggnog cheesecake bars are easy to make and a cinch to serve. Slice them into whatever size or shape you desire to feed your friends and family. My favorite part is the tart cranberry swirls. It’s a perfect flavor combination. These eggnog cheesecake bars are a must make for your Thanksgiving (and even Christmas!) dessert table. Eggnog is a full season long flavor! It’s time to grab a carton and get baking!
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Eggnog Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Cranberry puree:
- 1 C whole cranberries fresh or frozen
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp water
Crust:
- 2 C graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 C granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
Filling:
- 20 oz cream cheese softened
- 3/4 C granulated sugar
- 3/4 C eggnog
- 3/4 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 Tbsp all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add cranberries, sugar and water. Stir occasionally, cooking until cranberries have all burst. Press mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl. Discard solids. Cover and chill.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease parchment with baking spray.
- In a food processor, combine crust ingredients. Press firmly onto bottom of prepared baking pan, creating an even layer. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth. With mixer on low, add eggnog, vanilla, salt, nutmeg and flour. Gradually increase speed while adding remaining two eggs. Beat just until mixture is combined and no lumps remain. Pour filling onto prepared crust, spreading evenly.
- Dollop cranberry puree over filling. Use a toothpick or knife to swirl cranberry puree.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until filling is set. Cool in pan until cheesecake is room temperature. Transfer to refrigerator to cool completely. When cheesecake is sufficiently chilled, carefully grab parchment paper to remove cheesecake from pan. Slice into equal squares. Serve immediately or store chilled until ready to eat.
Notes
More desserts for Thanksgiving:
Apple crisp for a crowd
Maple pumpkin mini cheesecakes with brown sugar maple whipped cream
Perfect (non-cakey) soft batch pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
Deep dish apple pie
Mini apple pie cheesecakes with brown sugar whipped cream
Apple snickerdoodle cobbler
Jamaican spiced pumpkin pie
German apple pie
Mini eggnog cheesecakes
Items used in this recipe:
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I was just thinking abut eggnog cheesecake last night. You read my mind. I never would have added cranberry though…lovely combo!
I must have! :) Thanks Aimee!
Catching Fire… I almost can’t talk about it, I’m that excited. I just finished reading the books and watched the first movie. I have someone totally different in mind for Finnick but hey, I’ll take what I can get. Super excited for the movie! And for these bars. Holy moly, do they look amazing. I love that you used cranberry over raspberry. Delish!
Cranberry totally wins my heart this time of the year :) It had to be that or nothing lol
I love these! So beautiful and decadent. I have not read any of the series nor plan on seeing the movies… but then again the last movie I went to in the theater was Winnie the Pooh. ;)
haha… I think you need a treat to an adult movie sometime :) And thanks Amanda!
I would fight my brother and sister for the last slice of this at Thanksgiving! It’s a beautiful dessert and looks so yummy!
Thanks Ali!
These are so festive and delicious-looking. Definitely adding it to my holiday baking list. The pictures are gorgeous!
Thank you Jess! Enjoy :)
This is a work of art. I love cranberry so these are a must!
Thank you Norma!
Ahh so many great eggnog recipes out there! I hope my grocery sell sit soon. Love the combination with cranberries.
I bet you’ll see it soon if they don’t already have some!
I bet these bars are so good and I like that they’re a switch from pumpkin. Love the flavor of eggnog and I bet tart cranberry is so good with it! Glad you’re enjoying Alias. I loved that show, but the last season…not so good so brace yourself. Can’t wait for Maleficent!
Oh no!! That’s a bummer to hear about the last season. Maybe I won’t mind it so much.
Interesting flavor combination of cranberry and eggnog. Sounds great! Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks Laura!
Holy yum.
Haha thanks Amy :)
I’m so excited that this recipe features two of my favorite winter ingredients — eggnog and cranberries. And they’re combined in a cheesecake bar?! Ingenious! Can’t wait to try this. Pinning to make soon!
Thanks so much Jamie! :) Enjoy!
Surprisingly, I’ve never had Eggnog! But I can imagine it would be absolutely phenomenal in cheesecake, and with some cranberry swirl?! Ugh, how seasonally delicious can you get?!
Thanks Rachel! :)
Bring on the eggnog…I have left pumpkin in the dust! These look amazing girl!!!
I *might* still enjoy pumpkin at home but I’m pretty sure it’s over for the blog this year. Time for winter flavors! :)
I am jealous that you’re starting Alias from scratch, I loved that show so much! Awesome holiday flavors going on here – the eggnog and cranberries scream Christmas to me. The bars are gorgeous!
Thanks Tracey! Maybe you should start watching it again :)
G’day Rachel LOVE eggnog desserts, true!
Your photo is so mouth watering! Wish I could come through the screen and try one right now too!
Cheers! Joanne
Thanks so much Joanne! :)
Yes! Eggnog and cranberries! I was just wondering about this combination ;)
I have yet to watch Alias. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve been on a Vampire Diaries kick lately… Very embarrassed about it but I’m completely addicted to it!
No need to be embarrassed. I kind of love that show too lol. I’ve been watching from the start so it’s hard to stop.
Oh heyyyy now! These are brilliant my friend!
Thanks Laurie! :)
These are so pretty! I love the cranberry swirls. In one on them, there is a pretty “heart” swirl on the left. (did you plan that?) I too cannot wait for Catching Fire!! I am so excited! (and I have HIGH hopes for it!)
These are so great!! I’ve never had eggnog cheesecake!
Mouthwatering!! Eggnog is a must in my home :) this cheesecake recipe looks amazing
These look amazing! I love eggnog and I love cranberry, so I know I’d love these. And would you believe I’ve yet to read The Hunger Games or see the movies? I’m so out of the loop! =P
Oh my gosh! You’ve got to get on that. Read during naps lol ;)
I made this for Christmas dinner. The cheesecake itself was fine, but I didn’t think it tasted like eggnog. What brand of eggnog did you use? I couldn’t taste the cranberries either. One cup of raw cranberries cooked down to between a quarter and a third of a cup of puree. I had to add a a tsp more water and sugar to get all of the berries to pop without burning the rest. I also had a problem getting the crumbs to form a solid crust. Did I over cook it? Under cook it? Maybe the ratio of butter to crumbs was off?
Everyone has very different taste preferences so I can’t speak for the flavors of eggnog and cranberries. As for the crust, if you’re ever having trouble with something like that, adding more butter would be your best bet. The measurements listed are accurate, as you can see from the picture they came together for me fine. But if measurements were off at all, that can play a huge factor in the final result.