Eggnog Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars

A perfect crowd pleasing holiday cheesecake bar recipe. Creamy eggnog cheesecake bars with swirls of tart homemade cranberry puree.

Eggnog Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bar Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

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?

Eggnog Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bar Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

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 Bar Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

Eggnog Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Creamy eggnog cheesecake bars with swirls of tart homemade cranberry puree. A perfect crowd pleasing holiday cheesecake bar.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cheesecake
Servings: 12 plus

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

Serves roughly 12-16.
An original recipe from Baked by Rachel

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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41 Responses to “Eggnog Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars”

  1. #
    1
    Aimee @ Simple Bites — November 14, 2013 at 7:22 am

    I was just thinking abut eggnog cheesecake last night. You read my mind. I never would have added cranberry though…lovely combo!

    • #
      1.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      I must have! :) Thanks Aimee!

  2. #
    2
    Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) — November 14, 2013 at 7:51 am

    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!

    • #
      2.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      Cranberry totally wins my heart this time of the year :) It had to be that or nothing lol

  3. #
    3
    Amanda — November 14, 2013 at 8:16 am

    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. ;)

    • #
      3.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:17 pm

      haha… I think you need a treat to an adult movie sometime :) And thanks Amanda!

  4. #
    4
    Ali @ Inspiralized — November 14, 2013 at 8:32 am

    I would fight my brother and sister for the last slice of this at Thanksgiving! It’s a beautiful dessert and looks so yummy!

    • #
      4.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:17 pm

      Thanks Ali!

  5. #
    5
    Jess @ Gas Stove Girl — November 14, 2013 at 8:32 am

    These are so festive and delicious-looking. Definitely adding it to my holiday baking list. The pictures are gorgeous!

    • #
      5.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:17 pm

      Thank you Jess! Enjoy :)

  6. #
    6
    Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg — November 14, 2013 at 9:52 am

    This is a work of art. I love cranberry so these are a must!

    • #
      6.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      Thank you Norma!

  7. #
    7
    Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie — November 14, 2013 at 10:30 am

    Ahh so many great eggnog recipes out there! I hope my grocery sell sit soon. Love the combination with cranberries.

    • #
      7.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      I bet you’ll see it soon if they don’t already have some!

  8. #
    8
    Leah | So, How's It Taste? — November 14, 2013 at 10:45 am

    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!

    • #
      8.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      Oh no!! That’s a bummer to hear about the last season. Maybe I won’t mind it so much.

  9. #
    9
    Laura @ Laura's Baking Talent — November 14, 2013 at 11:45 am

    Interesting flavor combination of cranberry and eggnog. Sounds great! Thanks for sharing :)

    • #
      9.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      Thanks Laura!

  10. #
    10
    Amy @Very Culinary — November 14, 2013 at 11:56 am

    Holy yum.

    • #
      10.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:19 pm

      Haha thanks Amy :)

  11. #
    11
    Jamie@Milk 'n' Cookies — November 14, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    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!

    • #
      11.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks so much Jamie! :) Enjoy!

  12. #
    12
    Rachel @ Bakerita — November 14, 2013 at 4:18 pm

    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?!

    • #
      12.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 6:50 pm

      Thanks Rachel! :)

  13. #
    13
    Jocelyn @BruCrew Life — November 14, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    Bring on the eggnog…I have left pumpkin in the dust! These look amazing girl!!!

    • #
      13.1
      Rachel — November 14, 2013 at 6:49 pm

      I *might* still enjoy pumpkin at home but I’m pretty sure it’s over for the blog this year. Time for winter flavors! :)

  14. #
    14
    Tracey — November 14, 2013 at 7:59 pm

    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!

    • #
      14.1
      Rachel — November 15, 2013 at 7:12 am

      Thanks Tracey! Maybe you should start watching it again :)

  15. #
    15
    Joanne T Ferguson — November 14, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    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

    • #
      15.1
      Rachel — November 15, 2013 at 7:12 am

      Thanks so much Joanne! :)

  16. #
    16
    Janice (@KtchnHealsSoul) — November 14, 2013 at 11:38 pm

    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!

    • #
      16.1
      Rachel — November 15, 2013 at 7:13 am

      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.

  17. #
    17
    Laurie {SimplyScratch} — November 15, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    Oh heyyyy now! These are brilliant my friend!

    • #
      17.1
      Rachel — November 15, 2013 at 4:43 pm

      Thanks Laurie! :)

  18. #
    18
    Renee @ Two in the Kitchen — November 15, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    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!)

  19. #
    19
    Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. — November 16, 2013 at 12:08 am

    These are so great!! I’ve never had eggnog cheesecake!

  20. #
    20
    Nutmeg Nanny — November 16, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    Mouthwatering!! Eggnog is a must in my home :) this cheesecake recipe looks amazing

  21. #
    21
    amy @ fearless homemaker — November 26, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    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

    • #
      21.1
      Rachel — November 26, 2013 at 8:31 pm

      Oh my gosh! You’ve got to get on that. Read during naps lol ;)

  22. #
    22
    Wendelah — December 26, 2014 at 11:59 am

    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?

    • #
      22.1
      Rachel — December 27, 2014 at 7:22 am

      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.

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