No joke: these cranberry orange white chocolate cheesecake bars nearly ruined all other cheesecakes for me. Under normal circumstances, I gravitate towards the chocolatiest desserts I can find. In fact, if it’s been more than a couple days since my last chocolate fix (even if that’s just a handful of chocolate chips), I start to get a little antsy. These cheesecake bars don’t have any (real) chocolate, but they won me over nevertheless and it was love at first bite, so much that I didn’t make any other type of cheesecake for several months afterward. Even though I first made and shared these bars in 2013, I’m still obsessing over them now, so I decided it was time to take some new photos to better convey their awesomeness!
Lightly spiced and flavored with smooth white chocolate and bright orange zest, these cheesecake bars perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the holidays. They also feature a ginger snap cookie crust (which is so delicious that I would happily eat it just on its own) and a tangy, vibrant cranberry sauce, so they’re decked out for the holidays literally from top to bottom! I added some sugared cranberries on a whim to give the bars an even more festive feel, but these are optional. They’re a little tart for my liking, to be honest, but I find their sparkly, snow-like appearance completely enchanting!
Like any cheesecake recipe (except the no-bake varieties), these bars do take some planning ahead. They need to sit in the refrigerator for at least three hours before you cut and serve them, but I promise, they’re well worth the wait! You can also make them a day or two in advance, so they’re a great option for Thanksgiving, when you’ve got multiple dishes competing for oven space. What’s on your Thanksgiving menu this year? Have you started planning yet?
I’m sharing this post at the following link parties: Recipe of the Week, The Wednesday Showcase, Welcome Home Wednesdays, Foodie FriDIY, and Fiesta Friday.
apuginthekitchen says
Those cheesecake bars are gorgeous. Perfect seasonal dessert.
CakePants says
Thanks so much, Suzanne!
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
What a delicious flavor combination Mara! This has me getting excited for my Christmas baking!
CakePants says
Thanks, Heather! I still can’t believe Thanksgiving is only a week away…it doesn’t feel like the holidays yet!
Cake Lover says
These cheesecake bars are absolutely gorgeous. How do you get them to look so perfectly precision-cut?
CakePants says
Thanks! A very sharp knife and a towel to wipe it off in between cuts…oh, and lining the pan with parchment so that I can lift the whole thing out and onto a cutting board!
Stephanie | Worth Whisking says
Beautiful dessert, Mara! The flavor combination is perfectly seasonal!
CakePants says
Thanks, Stephanie! It’s not the holidays for me unless there are at least a few cranberry orange creations
sanfranciscoatheart says
They look stunning!
CakePants says
Thank you! I’m glad they caught your eye
apron says
Just put them on my Christmas wish list …
CakePants says
These are definitely Christmas wish list worthy! I hope you get a chance to try them
Patty K-P says
These look utterly delicious! I have a weak spot for white chocolate too and the addition of oranges and cranberry flavor makes it so colorful and bright for both the palate and eyes! Well done!
CakePants says
Thanks, Patty! They really are a treat for both the taste buds and the eyes
Haley says
These look awesome, Mara! I love the frosted cranberries – so festive!
CakePants says
Thanks, Haley! The sugared cranberries are really easy to make. I’ve been wanting to try them for a long time and I’m glad I finally had a reason!
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen says
These are the prettiest cheesecake bars ever Mara! I love the gingersnap crust, the white chocolate in the filling and the sugared cranberries on top!! So pretty. These would make an absolutely PERFECT Thanksgiving dessert!
CakePants says
Thanks so much, Mary Ann! I had a lot of fun coming up with the flavor profile for the recipe
Jasmine S. says
What a beautiful cheescake!! Those sugared cranberries are the perfect touch.
CakePants says
Thanks, Jasmine! I love the look of the sugared cranberries too…so pretty and yet so easy to make!
Antonia says
Such a beautiful dessert and so perfect for the holidays! Your photos really capture it’s beauty! Thanks for bringing your delicious cheesecake bars to Fiesta Friday!
CakePants says
Thanks, Antonia! I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to re-shoot these photos after a few years. Thanks for hosting this week!
chefjulianna says
So gorgeous! This has holiday written all over it!
CakePants says
Thanks, Julianna! I’m glad these bars caught your eye
Matt @ RoughEats says
Cranberries are probably my favourite fruit, so tart. I am totally making these, am I’m eating them all!
CakePants says
Sounds like these bars are perfect for you then! I went a little cranberry-crazy a few years ago and bought way more than I could eat, so we’re still using up the bags from the freezer…certainly not a bad problem to have, though!
Susan @ Culinary Envy says
Gorgeous pictures! This is definitely making an appearance at my Holiday Table! Thanks for sharing.
CakePants says
I hope you love these as much as we do! Thanks for stopping by, Susan
chef mimi says
Wow. You’re so talented!
CakePants says
Aw, I’m blushing! Thanks, Mimi
Suchitra says
Mara, these cheesecake bars looks and sound delicious! I love the gingersnap crust! Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend!
CakePants says
Thanks, Suchitra! The gingersnap crust really does add a special touch. I hope you’re having a nice weekend as well!
Michelle says
Cranberries with orange are a perfect combination and then you add ginger snaps!?!?
Delicious!
Thanks for the recipe!
Michelle
CakePants says
It really is a perfect trifecta of holiday flavors! I hope you get a chance to try it. Thanks for stopping by!
nancyc says
A beautiful dessert–and so yummy-looking!
CakePants says
Thanks, Nancy! I’m glad it caught your eye
Jeff the Chef says
Cranberries are among my favorite things, so this sounds delicious to me.
CakePants says
Yes, this is right up your alley! The recipe makes a fair amount of cranberry sauce, so we were heaping it on top of the bars. Happy Thanksgiving!
Sabrina Zaragoza says
Perfect with a cup of coffee for a short break. Thanks for sharing!!!
CakePants says
I agree! I could definitely go for one of these bars as a break from my work this evening. Thanks for stopping by, Sabrina!
spicedblog says
Holy cow, Mara! These cheesecake bars look amazing. I love the cranberry topping…and that gingersnap crust! This seriously looks like a dessert that I would order in a fancy restaurant. I missed this one before Thanksgiving, but I think I might just need to get on board with this today…and you know, make up for lost time by eating a couple of bars!
CakePants says
Thanks, David! Making up for lost time time definitely sounds like a good idea
Tracy | Baking Mischief says
Oh man, I love these flavor combos! All my favorite holiday flavors and it’s in CHEESECAKE. Pinning!
Emily says
You are so true when introducing the recipe to make this cake! It makes us want to try to create regardless how it is difficult because it is such a attractive cheesecake. But we will feel regretful if we have to bite any pieces of it. It is beautiful like an ornament! Wish I was there to taste your product! Great recipe! Thanks for sharing.
CakePants says
Thanks, Emily! It’s really not difficult to make, but it does take some time. Thanks for stopping by!