Black Forest Cheesecake Bars

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Combining the tartness of cherry preserves with the creamy, chocolatey goodness of cheesecake, these Black Forest Cheesecake Bars are sure to be a hit this summer.

Summer is the perfect time to indulge in the rich, sweet flavors of cherries and chocolate. And what better way to do that than with these decadent Black Forest Cheesecake Bars? Combining the tartness of cherry preserves with the creamy, chocolatey goodness of cheesecake, this dessert is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you’re looking for a treat to share or a dessert to enjoy solo, these bars are the ultimate in decadence. Let's make them.

Ingredients

FOR THE CHERRY PRESERVES:

• 1 ½ Cups Cherries, pitted and sliced (225g)
• ½ Cup Granulated Sugar (100g)
• 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch (16g)
• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice (15ml)

FOR THE CRUST:

• 28 Oreo Cookies, crushed to fine crumbs
• 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar (25g)
• ⅓ Cup Salted Butter, melted (75g)

FOR THE CHEESECAKE FILLING:

• 16 Ounces Cream Cheese, softened (450g)
• 1 ¼ Cups Granulated Sugar (250g)
• ½ Cup Sour Cream (120g)
• 1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract (15ml)
• 2 Large Eggs, room temperature
• ⅔ Cup Sharffen Berger Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (80g)
• 2 Tablespoons Black Cocoa Powder (15g)

FOR THE GANACHE LAYER:

• 8 Ounces Sharffen Berger Semisweet Dark Chocolate Baking Portions (225g)
• ½ Cup Heavy Cream (120ml)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) baking dish with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper.
2. Make Cherry Preserves: In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy, about 3-5 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
3. Prepare Crust: In a medium bowl, mix the crushed Oreo cookies, sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
4. Make Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the sour cream, vanilla extract, and eggs, and beat until fully combined. Gradually add the unsweetened cocoa powder and black cocoa powder, mixing until smooth.
5. Assemble Bars: Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the prepared crust.
6. Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are slightly puffed. Allow to cool completely in the baking dish.
7. Prepare Ganache: In a heatproof bowl, combine the semisweet dark chocolate and heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and fully melted.
8. Finish Bars: Pour the ganache over the cooled cheesecake bars, spreading evenly. Allow the ganache to settle on top of the bars for 20 minutes in the refrigerator. Spread the cherry preserves over the ganache. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings if desired. Serve immediately. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to four days.

Enjoy your Black Forest Cheesecake Bars!

The Perfect Summer Dessert

These Black Forest Cheesecake Bars are the epitome of summer indulgence. The rich and creamy cheesecake filling, paired with the sweet-tart cherry preserves and a decadent chocolate ganache, creates a perfect blend of flavors. The crust, made from Oreo cookies, adds a perfect crunch to each bite, making these bars an irresistible treat.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With a few straightforward steps, you can create a dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end bakery. Also the fact that they are easy to bake with no water bath and a shorter chill time than a traditional cheesecake means less wait-time and more enjoying-eating-these-bars time. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, you’ll find that these bars are super easy to make and even easier to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use frozen cherries for the cherry preserves?

Absolutely! If fresh cherries are not in season or readily available, frozen cherries work just as well. Just make sure to thaw and drain them before using them in the recipe. The result will be just as delicious, with a slight difference in texture.

2. Can I substitute the Oreo crust with another type of crust?

Yes, you can! While the Oreo crust adds a delightful chocolate flavor that complements the cheesecake filling, you can substitute it with a graham cracker crust or even a digestive biscuit crust. The key is to ensure the crust is firmly pressed into the baking dish before adding the filling.

3. How do I know when the cheesecake bars are fully baked?

The cheesecake bars are done when the center is set and the edges are slightly puffed. A good way to check is to gently shake the baking dish; if the center jiggles slightly but the edges are set, your bars are ready. Remember that they will continue to firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking.

Products Used

Here is one link to all of the products I used in making these cheesecake bars. I linked a variety of 8x8 pans, my favorite mixers plus bowls, and more.

Cheesecake Bars

Peruse my entire storefront for the items that I bake and style with daily! My promise to you is to never share a product that I don’t personally use and love.

Dietary Substitutions

I love providing gluten and dairy free substitutions so that those with alternate dietary needs can enjoy my recipes to their fullest! These are subs that I have either used and continue to stock in my own home, or that have come highly recommended from others. I want your baking experience to be the best it can be, and avoiding gluten or dairy shouldn’t hinder that process in the slightest. 

As always, here is a list of tried and true dietary substitutes, so that you can enjoy this recipe without the additions of gluten or dairy. 

Miyokos butter is a plant based brick that closely resembles dairy butter not only in its look, but it’s taste as well. It melts, browns, and spreads just like real butter, and truly is a fantastic substitute in this recipe. Use it as a 1:1 ratio sub, same as the flour, so the recipe measurements will not change. 

Miyokos also makes a wonderful cream cheese that would be an excellent dairy free base in this recipe. 

Silk Dairy Free Heavy Cream is a great option for the ganache.

Kite Hill makes a dairy free sour cream for those wanting to recreate this recipe without the dairy.

Look for dairy free chocolate if you need to avoid dairy in this recipe. 

Oreo makes a gluten free version that is also vegan so they are both dairy free and gluten free!

Conclusion

These Black Forest Cheesecake Bars are a brilliant summer dessert that you'll want to make again and again. The combination of creamy cheesecake, rich chocolate, and juicy cherries is simply divine. Perfect for summer gatherings, these bars are sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy them chilled on a hot day, and savor the layers of flavor and texture in every bite. Happy baking!

If you loved this recipe, I’d be so grateful for you to leave a 5 star rating + review. 

Tag @heathershomebakery on Instagram if you upload a pic too, because I want to see your creations. 

Lastly, post this recipe to any of your boards by tapping the Pinterest icon and clicking on your favorite photo. Save and enjoy! 

XO,

Heather

PS: Try these Raspberry Cheesecake Bars for a summery take on vanilla + raspberry flavors!