These Oatmeal Cheesecake Cranberry Bars have an oatmeal crust and a cheesecake and cranberry filling. They are the perfect holiday bar.
For any of you who have had children, you know the last few weeks are such a waiting game. A very frustrating waiting game if you are overly eager for your little one to arrive. I officially have 1 week until my due date, but I really thought this little one was coming several times last week. Which makes it even more frustrating when they don’t come!! I had a week’s worth of posts written up on my blog, I had prepared to take it easy all week – no cooking dinner, nothing on the schedule… and then nothing. So here I am, just still playing the waiting game.
In the meantime, I guess I’ll just keep myself busy in the kitchen! Cranberry is one of those things that I see used all over during Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I say – why can’t it be used year round? Especially if you have a can or two of cranberry sauce floating around in your cabinet. This is the perfect way to use it up. I absolutely loved these. The crust is super buttery, followed by a decadent cheesecake layer and just the perfect amount of cranberry. I’m pretty sure you could substitute in another fruit compote – or maybe even fresh fruit – if you aren’t in the mood for cranberry. But I thought they were the perfect bar cookie!!
Oatmeal-Cheesecake-Cranberry Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 12 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 16- ounce can whole cranberry sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish; set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats and brown sugar. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the mixture. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese and sugar in a medium bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, lemon juice and vanilla. Spread the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust.
- In a small bowl, combine the cranberry sauce and the cornstarch. Carefully spoon over the cheesecake mixture. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the top.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until set. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until completely cooled and firm. Cut into bars.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Katerina says
Cranberries are totally something I cook with year round, especially in baking. These look divine.
hungryhealthyhilary.com says
Oh yum! Those look simply delicious…an interesting combo that I never would have thought of!
Nicki says
How unusual and strangely appealing. Thanks for sharing!
Nicki @ Ginger and Almonds
Tia says
this sounds soo good. perfect for the snowy weather we have been having. Yes. snow. argh!
Buttercreambarbie
Monet says
Your baby will be here so soon…how exciting! And how great that you are still able to bake such goodies! Thanks for sharing all this culinary goodness. I hope you sleep well tonight and wake up refreshed and ready to embrace the day! Good luck, sweet woman!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
good luck with the last week…and soon, very soon, you will be taking your babymoon and doing nothing but nursing and being awake nonstop 🙂
The bars look perfect!
Tammy says
praying for a safe delivery!! Thanks for the wonderful cranberry recipe…I was wondering what to do with my two extra cans of cranberries! Now I know!
Taylor says
I don't have kids so I haven't experienced the 'waiting game' but I can imagine it's an exciting time! Good luck momma-to-be! 🙂
Jennifurla says
COme on baby!!! help momma out!
Joanne says
I'll keep my fingers crossed that baby comes soon! I'm so excited for you!
I'm with you on the cranberry thing. I love it every day of the year. summer, winter, whenever. And these cheesecake bars sound delicious!
MindyW says
I actually thought about you this morning: I wonder when the girl from "Taste and Tell" is due?…I just had a baby a week ago today! It really is an exciting time & hard to wait. Good luck!!..I know you have probably heard a bunch of suggestions, but my plan for getting them out early (all of mine were two weeks early) is:eat lots of pineapple, exercise, and time with your husband – if you know what I mean (: This has worked each time!
Anyway, thanks for a wonderful blog! I love it!
Tasha says
The waiting game at the end really is hard! I had a few "Is this it?" episodes this past week myself, so I can relate only too well with everything you are saying. Good luck, hope your little one comes soon.
As for this recipe, I am so bookmarking this one. It take 3 of my very favorite dessert componients- oats, cheesecake & cranberry- for one awesome sounding treat.