Pistachio Cheesecake Bars

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Bake: 35 min. + chilling
Yield 9 bars
Test Kitchen Approved
Real pistachios—no extracts or artificial flavorings—make these pistachio cheesecake bars taste their very best.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • FILLING:
  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup pistachio butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup chopped pistachios, divided

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°. Line an 8-in. square baking pan with parchment, letting ends extend up sides; set aside. In small bowl, combine crumbs, sugar, melted butter and, if desired, cinnamon. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Bake 8-9 minutes or until lightly browned; place on a wire rack to cool.
  2. In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth, 3-4 minutes. Beat in pistachio butter, sugar, sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla extract until smooth, 2-3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time; beat on low speed just until combined. Fold in 1/2 cup chopped pistachios. Pour filling on top of graham cracker crust. Sprinkle with remaining pistachios.
  3. Bake until filling is just set, 35-40 minutes. Cool to room temperature; refrigerate 2 hours or until cold. Lifting with parchment, remove cheesecake from pan. Cut into 9 bars.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 560 calories, 44g fat (18g saturated fat), 127mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein.

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