Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

Four square dessert bars with a light cream layer and a brown crust, each topped with a swirl of whipped cream, are arranged on a white plate against a red background.

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These sweet and creamy bars are made with a graham cracker crust and eggnog cream cheese filling! They are a perfect addition to a holiday table!

Prep Time25

Cook Time25

Cool Time1

Total Time1 50

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Eggnog, Gingerbread, Graham, Rum

Servings:

Author: Nicole

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Crust

1 ¼ cups (about 5 ounces) crushed graham crackers
1 ¼ cups (about 5 ounces) crushed gingersnap cookies
8 tablespoons (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup packed brown sugar

For the Filling

1 (.25 ounce) package unsweetened powdered gelatin
2 ½ tablespoons rum
2 ½ tablespoons brandy
2 cups granulated sugar divided
4 extra-large egg yolks
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup whole milk
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) container mascarpone
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Garnish

1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper leaving overhang to allow for easy removal. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the graham crackers and gingerbread cookies until finely ground. Add the melted butter and brown sugar and pulse to combine. Press the mixture into the prepared baking pan and bake for 15 minutes, or until set; cool to room temperature.
In a small bowl sprinkle gelatin over rum and brandy; set aside. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup granulated sugar and egg yolks. In a medium saucepan, heat cream, milk, and remaining 1 ½ cups sugar over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and steam begins to rise. Temper the egg yolk mixture by slowly ladling half of milk mixture into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Slowly pour milk-yolk mixture back into saucepan. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Off the heat, whisk gelatin into milk-yolk mixture. Cool to room temperature; stirring occasionally.
Beat cream cheese and mascarpone in a bowl with a hand held mixer until smooth. Gradually add the cooled milk-yolk mixture, scraping down the sides and beating until smooth. Strain the mixture over a bowl through a fine mesh sieve; whisk in the nutmeg. Pour the mixture over the cooled crust. Chill until set.
Using parchment overhang, gently remove and transfer to a cutting surface; cut into 24 bars. In a medium bowl using a whisk or hand held mixer, beat the heavy cream and sugar until soft peaks form. Dollop or pipe the whipped cream onto the bars. Sprinkle the bars with freshly grated nutmeg. Serve chilled. Enjoy!

Notes

Bars can be kept in the refrigerator without whipped cream garnish for up to 3 days.

Nutrition