These delightful eggnog cheesecake bars are a perfect holiday dessert, combining creamy cheesecake with festive eggnog flavor in an easy-to-make recipe. If you’re looking for a dessert that captures the spirit of the season without requiring hours in the kitchen, you’ve found your new favorite.

Easy Eggnog Cheesecake Bars Recipe for Holiday Baking 16

This recipe is designed for home bakers of all skill levels, ensuring a delicious outcome every time. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these festive and flavorful treats that are sure to become a holiday tradition.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

You’ll absolutely adore these eggnog cheesecake bars because they deliver maximum holiday cheer with minimal effort. This recipe is perfect for busy parents, new bakers, or anyone who wants a show-stopping dessert without the stress of a complicated cheesecake. It’s fantastic for potlucks, holiday parties, or simply as a special treat for your family during the festive season. The combination of a buttery crust and a rich, spiced eggnog cheesecake filling is truly irresistible, and the bar format makes them incredibly easy to serve and enjoy. No fancy slicing or individual plating required – just cut and share!

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for these eggnog cheesecake bars is straightforward, and most items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. We’re focusing on simple, accessible ingredients to ensure a smooth baking experience.

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup eggnog
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cinnamon (optional, for garnish)

For the graham cracker crumbs, you can buy pre-crushed crumbs or crush your own graham crackers in a food processor or by placing them in a Ziploc bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. If you don’t have unsalted butter, salted butter will work, just be mindful of any additional salt you might add elsewhere. Any brand of full-fat cream cheese will give you the best creamy texture. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought eggnog; both dairy and non-dairy versions work well here, though dairy eggnog will provide a richer flavor.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed to be efficient, allowing you to enjoy your delicious eggnog cheesecake bars without spending your entire day in the kitchen.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35-40 minutes
Chill time: 2-3 hours (minimum)
Total active time: Approximately 50-55 minutes
Total time (including chilling): Approximately 3-4 hours

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating these festive eggnog cheesecake bars is a breeze when you follow these simple steps. Pay attention to the cues to ensure perfect results every time.

Prepare your baking pan and oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. This makes cleanup and removal much simpler.
Make the graham cracker crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly moistened and resemble wet sand. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use the bottom of a glass or your fingers to compact it well.
Partially bake the crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. This helps set the crust and prevents it from becoming soggy. While the crust bakes, move on to preparing the filling.
Prepare the cheesecake filling: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and ½ cup granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy, with no lumps. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the wet ingredients and spices: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until just combined. Then, gradually add the eggnog, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg. Mix on low speed until the filling is smooth and fully incorporated, being careful not to overmix, which can introduce too much air.
Assemble and bake the bars: Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the partially baked graham cracker crust. Gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles.
Bake the cheesecake bars: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle. Do not overbake; the cheesecake will continue to set as it cools.
Cool and chill: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once at room temperature, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight, before cutting and serving. This chilling time is crucial for the bars to firm up properly. Before serving, you can optionally sprinkle with a pinch of ground cinnamon.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

These eggnog cheesecake bars are wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit your preferences or occasion. For a kid-friendly twist, you can drizzle a little caramel sauce or melted white chocolate over the top before serving. A sprinkle of holiday-themed sprinkles would also be a fun addition.

If you’re serving these for a party or buffet, cutting them into smaller, bite-sized squares makes them easy for guests to grab and enjoy. You could also serve them with a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of extra nutmeg for an elegant presentation. For a richer flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of rum extract to the cheesecake filling along with the vanilla. If you want to make them extra festive, crush some gingersnap cookies instead of graham crackers for the crust.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls, but with a little awareness, you can easily avoid them and ensure your eggnog cheesecake bars turn out perfectly.

Overmixing the cheesecake filling: Overmixing introduces too much air, which can cause the cheesecake to puff up in the oven and then crack as it cools. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined and smooth.
Not softening the cream cheese: Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy filling. Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start mixing to ensure a smooth, creamy texture. You can speed this up by unwrapping it and placing it on a plate for 30 minutes, or microwaving it for 10-15 seconds.
Overbaking the cheesecake: An overbaked cheesecake will be dry and crumbly, and it’s more likely to crack. The center should still have a slight jiggle when you gently shake the pan. It will continue to set as it cools.
Not chilling long enough: Rushing the chilling process is a common mistake. The bars need ample time in the refrigerator to firm up properly, making them easier to cut and ensuring a perfect texture. If you cut them too soon, they might be too soft and fall apart.
Not lining the pan: While not catastrophic, failing to line the pan with parchment paper can make it very difficult to remove the bars cleanly, potentially leading to breakage. The overhang is key for easy lifting.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

Proper storage is essential to keep your eggnog cheesecake bars fresh and delicious, and they are excellent for making ahead, which is perfect for holiday planning.

Once completely cooled, store the cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days. For best results, place a piece of parchment paper between layers if stacking them to prevent sticking.

You can also make these bars ahead of time. They actually taste even better the day after they’re made, as the flavors have more time to meld. If you want to prepare them further in advance, you can freeze them. Once the bars are completely chilled and firm, cut them into individual squares. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid (about 2-3 hours). Then, transfer the frozen bars to an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Here are some common questions that pop up when people are getting ready to make these delightful eggnog cheesecake bars.

Can I use low-fat cream cheese or eggnog? While you can, using full-fat cream cheese and eggnog will give you the best, richest, and creamiest texture. Low-fat versions might result in a slightly less decadent bar.

Do I have to use a water bath for these cheesecake bars? No, this recipe is specifically designed not to require a water bath. The bar format and slightly shorter baking time make it unnecessary, simplifying

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.