Did you know that you can make your favorite desserts with 100% juice? These Cherry Cheesecake Bars made with 100% tart cherry juice will be your new go-to dessert to bring to a family party or potluck this summer. Try it out!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9- x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, brown sugar and a pinch of salt until combined.
- Press mixture evenly over bottom of lined baking pan. Bake crust for 10 minutes and remove from oven; keep oven set to 325 degrees F.
- Combine cherries and juice in a medium-size bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute. Let stand 15 minutes
- Meanwhile, place cream cheese and sugar in bowl of mixer and beat until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, and continue to mix. Add sour cream and salt and mix until smooth, making sure to scrape down sides of bowl occasionally.
- Pour cream cheese mixture over baked crust. Remove cherries from juice using a slotted spoon and saving juice; sprinkle cherries evenly over cream cheese mixture.
- Stir cornstarch into reserved juice in bowl; microwave on HIGH 1 additional minute to thicken. Gently spoon about half of thickened sauce over top of bars; carefully use a knife to make a swirl pattern over top of bars. (Reserve any remaining cherry sauce to serve with bars on the side or for another use.) Sprinkle top of bars with almonds.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until center is set. Let cool at room temperature before placing in refrigerator for at least 2 hours to chill. Store in refrigerator.
