Cranberry-Orange Cheesecake Bars

These cranberry-orange cheesecake bars are a favorite around the holidays or any time of the year!

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup butter, softened
• 0.3333333333333333 cup packed brown sugar
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 6 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Combine butter and brown sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Stir in flour and walnuts until crumbly. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
4. Meanwhile, combine cream cheese and white sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add cranberries, orange juice, eggs, orange zest, and vanilla extract, mix until well combined. Spread cream cheese filling onto cooled crust.
5. Bake until surface of cheesecake is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack, and allow the cheesecake to cool at room temperature, about 1 hour. Refrigerate until completely chilled, 4 hours to overnight.
6. Cut into 12 bars and serve.