These apricot amaretto cheesecake bars with pieces of sweet marinated apricots baked inside are deliciously indulgent and freeze well too.
Here’s a recipe I developed to indulge two of my great loves, apricot and cheesecake…oh and let’s not forget Amaretto!
In this recipe, the sweet dried apricots soak up the Amaretto overnight before being added to the cheesecake batter.
Apricot and Amaretto is a fantastic flavour combination and they come together so deliciously in these incredible amaretto cheesecake bars.
They are now a staple on my Holiday baking list not only because they combine great, rich flavours but because they freeze so well too.
Want even more cheesecake ideas? Be sure to check out this collection of Rock Recipes Most Popular Cheesecake related recipes.
Like this Apricot Amaretto Cheesecake Bars recipe?
Be sure to browse the photo index of over 200 cookie and cookie bar recipes is in our expansive Cookies Category.
It’s easy to keep up with the latest home style cooking & baking ideas from Rock Recipes. Be sure to follow Rock Recipes Facebook Page and follow us on Instagram.
Plus you’ll see daily recipe suggestions from decadent desserts to quick delicious weekday meals too.
You can also sign up for our FREE newsletter to know immediately when we add new recipes. You’ll also get weekly suggestions for great family friendly meals and desserts too!
Apricot Amaretto Cheesecake Bars
Apricot and Amaretto is a delicious flavour combination and works wonderfully well in these cheesecake bars.
Ingredients
For the marinated apricots
- 4 ounces Amaretto liqueur
- 3/4 cup dried chopped apricots
For the Cookie Base
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup cold butter
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 1 cup cream cheese, 8 oz or 250 grams by weight
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 large egg
Instructions
For the marinated apricots
- In an airtight container combine the amaretto and apricots.
- Let the apricots soak in the Amaretto for 24-48 hours. Almost all the liqueur should be soaked up by the dried apricots but if just a little syrupy Amaretto is remaining, it's okay to add to the cheesecake mixture as well.
For the cookie base
- In a food processor pulse together the flour, brown sugar and butter until crumbly (or simply cut the butter through the flour and sugar with a pastry knife or two butter knives held between your fingers)
- Save a 1/2 cup of this crumble mixture to sprinkle over the top later.
- Press the rest of the crumble mixture into the bottom of a greased or parchment lined 9x9 inch square baking pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes while preparing the cheesecake filling.
For the Cheesecake Filling
- Beat together the cream cheese, vanilla extract, lemon juice, sugar and egg until very smooth.
- Fold in the soaked apricots.
- Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly onto the pre-baked cookie base and sprinkle the reserved cookie crumble over the surface.
- Bake at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving. Refrigerate to store.
Nutrition Information
Yield
24Serving Size
cookie barAmount Per Serving Calories 119Saturated Fat 3gCholesterol 24mgSodium 57mgCarbohydrates 12gSugar 8gProtein 1g
Shell
Saturday 8th of November 2014
Does the amaretto bake out enough to serve this to someone who is pregnant?
Barry C. Parsons
Tuesday 18th of November 2014
Definitely. We are talking an insignificant amount of alcohol in the first place when divided between all the servings. Practically none once baked. just the flavour is left behind.