Layered Eggnog Cheesecake bars with a gingersnap crust, creamy cheesecake filling and snickerdoodle cookie topping! This is the ultimate dessert recipe for eggnog lovers and it’s a cinch to make.
Love eggnog? Our Instant Pot Eggnog cheesecake is creamy and delicious! Or give our eggnog truffles a try this year!
Table of Contents
Why this Recipe Works
You can’t have the holiday season without eggnog. And you can’t have it without cheesecake. Why not put them together in one rich and creamy dessert that’s easy to slice up and share?
An easy crust made out of gingersnaps makes these Eggnog Cheesecake Bars out-of-this-world delicious, adding a tart and spicy touch. I couldn’t resist throwing on a dreamy topping of sugar and spice (and everything nice). I used the cinnamon sugar blend I love on Snickerdoodles but added some nutmeg too–this is an eggnog dessert after all!
With a creamy filling and a crispy crust, cheesecake bars make everyone at the dessert table oh so happy!
Ingredient Notes
- Gingersnap cookies – Don’t have these (or don’t like them)? Graham crackers or nilla wafers will work just fine as a substitute in the crust.
- Cream cheese – Use full fat cream cheese for best flavor and creamy consistency. Don’t forget to let it soften on the counter for a few minutes so it’s easier to work with.
- Rum extract – Along with nutmeg, this flavoring gives the cheesecake that rich eggnog taste you crave, no eggnog or rum needed!
Easy Instructions
The crust. I used a whole bag of crushed gingersnaps for this gorgeous, flavorful crust. You can always substitute graham crackers or nilla wafers if you prefer, but I love the tanginess the gingersnap cookies give these bars.
The cheesecake. No actual eggnog is used in this cheesecake. Instead a combination of rum extract and nutmeg gives the illusion that the creamy center is an eggnog infused delight!
The cookie topping. Much like a snickerdoodle cookie, this version has 1/4 tsp nutmeg for extra holiday cheer. Oh, it’s also topped with a sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg crust.
Yeah. It doesn’t get much better than this for dessert. HOWEVER, as a reminder, this needs time to “set up.” After baking these bars they need to chill for at least 4 hours. I usually make them the day before so that they can be refrigerated overnight.
Once chilled, you can cut them and enjoy.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you should store these in the refrigerator for freshness and best taste. I love them chilled straight from the fridge!
If you omit the extract you won’t get the name eggnog flavor. Rum extract is worth the purchase! After you make cheesecake bars, use it in Eggnog Fudge, Butter Rum Fudge and Homemade Eggnog.
The cheesecake bars are ready to come out of the oven when the cookie crust is lightly browned. The center of the cheesecake may be slightly jiggly but it will continue to firm as it cools (and when it’s chilled).
Now you can have your eggnog and eat it too with this simple Eggnog Cheesecake Bars recipe! With the perfect hint of eggnog flavor, these easy bars are a hit every holiday season.
More Eggnog Recipes
- Eggnog Cookies
- Eggnog Cupcakes
- Easy Eggnog Truffles
- Eggnog Cheesecake Cake: a delicious layer cake that’s sure to impress. From scratch, spice cake with a cheesecake center and eggnog buttercream frosting!
- Eggnog Muffins: little, bite size donut muffins that are perfect for Christmas morning!
Eggnog Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 bag gingersnap cookies 14 oz (about 2 1/2 cups crumbs)
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
For the Cheesecake filling:
- 2 packages cream cheese, softened 8 oz each
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons rum extract
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
For the Cookie layer:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup milk
For the Topping:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Line a 13×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a food processor, pulse gingersnap cookies until fine crumbs. Add in melted butter and pulse until combined.
- Press crumbs into the bottom of prepared baking dish. Using the palm of your hand (or bottom of a cup) press crumbs firmly into the pan.
- For the cheesecake filling, beat cream cheese with sugar, eggs, rum extract and nutmeg using the whisk attachment of your electric mixer. Beat until fluffy and smooth (about 3-4 minutes). Pour over gingersnap crust.
- For the cookie layer, beat butter with sugar for 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat thoroughly. Add in baking powder, salt, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg and beat until fully combined. Add milk and beat until well blended. Scoop dough by large spoonfuls onto the top of the cheesecake layer. Use your fingertips to spread gently until the cheesecake layer is fully covered.
- In a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients. Sprinkle generously over the cookie layer.
- Bake for about 35 minutes. Middle may still “jiggle”, that’s okay. You want the cookie layer to be completely cooked (and lightly browned). Remove from oven and cool completely. Once cooled, cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours (or overnight). Cut into squares and enjoy cold!
Notes
- You should store these in the refrigerator for freshness and best taste. I love them chilled straight from the fridge!
- If you omit the rum extract you won’t get the name eggnog flavor. Rum extract is worth the purchase! After you make cheesecake bars, use it in Eggnog Fudge, Butter Rum Fudge and Homemade Eggnog.
- The cheesecake bars are ready to come out of the oven when the cookie crust is lightly browned. The center of the cheesecake may be slightly jiggly but it will continue to firm as it cools (and when it’s chilled).
Everything came together really nicely! These are quite decadent and I wonder if only 1 tablespoon rum extract would be better. I could not believe these didn’t have any eggnog because they taste so eggnoggy! Definitely try these out for your next Christmas party.
Well, I made these because of the many 5 star reviews. Only issue is that it appears as if the same “anonymous user” leaves no comments. Sigh, so probably a pal of the author to this recipe. I’m a baker and my gut told me, there is no way you can spread anything – even gingerly, on top of a cheesecake filling. Well, I attempted this anyway and let me just say… there is no way these bars would have a layering effect like the pics unless the cheese cake is baked in advance. This of course would kill the cheesecake – baking it twice. The only reason I’m submitting this review is because although the concept is good, the recipe isn’t. And it was a huge waste of my time and money. Sorry – but here’s your warning before you attempt these.
Anonymous users are just people who don’t add a comment to their review. I make these every year. If you dollop the cookie dough on top, when it bakes it spreads itself out naturally.
Or put it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. Worked just fine.
This recipe looked amazing. The review saying it was impossible to make was discouraging. I decided to try it anyway. The layers came out great. No problems adding the cookie layer. I am currently waiting for it to chill, so haven’t tried it yet, but I am anxiously waiting and anticipating this great combination. Thanks for the recipe!
These bars are absolutely amazing and will be perfect for the holidays!
I am totally going to make these! They look so amazing!
Two of my favorite things together in one dessert! Sign me up! Yummmm!!
Wow these egg nog bars look seriously amazing!