Description
These Orange Infused Fruit Cake Cheesecake Bars combine the comforting flavors of fruitcake with a creamy cheesecake filling and a shimmering apricot glaze. They’re perfect for holidays or a special treat any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
- 200g (7oz) All-Purpose Flour, for the base
- 150g (5oz) Unsalted Butter, Softened, for the base
- 100g (3½oz) Granulated Sugar, for the base
- 2 Large Eggs, divided (1 for base, 1 for filling)
- 1 tsp (5ml) Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract, for flavor
- 1 tsp (5g) Ground Cinnamon, for spice
- ½ tsp (2g) Ground Ginger, for spice
- ¼ tsp (1g) Ground Cloves, for spice
- 150g (5oz) Mixed Dried Fruit, raisins, currants, candied orange peel
- 75g (2½oz) Chopped Walnuts or Almonds, for crunch
- 300g (10½oz) Cream Cheese, Softened, for filling
- 100g (3½oz) Granulated Sugar, for filling
- 1 Large Egg, for filling
- Zest of 1 Orange, for citrus flavor
- 2 tbsp (30ml) Fresh Orange Juice, for moisture
- 150g (5oz) Apricot Jam, for glaze
- 1 tbsp (15ml) Fresh Lemon Juice, for glaze
- 30g (1oz) Sliced Toasted Almonds, for garnish
- Powdered Sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare Oven & Pan: Preheat to 175°C (350°F), line a 20x20cm (8×8 inch) pan with parchment.
- Make Fruitcake Base: Cream butter & sugar, add egg & vanilla, then flour, cinnamon, ginger, & cloves.
- Incorporate Fruit & Nuts: Fold in dried fruit & nuts. Press into pan & bake 30 minutes.
- Prepare Cheesecake Filling: Beat cream cheese & sugar, add egg, orange zest, juice & salt.
- Assemble & Bake: Spread filling over base & bake 25-30 minutes. Cool gradually.
- Make Apricot Glaze: Heat apricot jam & lemon juice until smooth.
- Glaze & Garnish: Drizzle glaze over bars, garnish with almonds & powdered sugar.
- Cut & Serve: Cut into squares with a warmed knife.
Notes
For clean cuts, warm the knife under hot water before slicing. Using full-fat cream cheese ensures a richer, creamier cheesecake.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: cheesecake,fruitcake,orange,apricot,dessert,baking,holiday,bars,nuts,fruit