Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

Variations and Substitutions

No Rum Extract?

Omit it and include vanilla extract instead. The flavor profile leans towards vanilla cheesecake bar instead of eggnog, but it still works. You could also experiment with a small pinch of cinnamon in the cookie dough to bring a bit of warmth back.

Add Cinnamon to the Crumble

Before sprinkling on the crumble mixture, stir in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Adding cinnamon offers a warm spice note that complements the nutmeg in the cheesecake layer.

Spiced Cake Mix Instead of Vanilla

For more depth in the base layer, you can swap out the vanilla cake mix for a spice cake mix. It makes the cookie layer taste more like a bar that is gingerbread-adjacent, which pairs beautifully with eggnog. It’s more flavorful and definitely more on the holidays spectrum.

Dairy-Free

Use dairy-free eggnog (oat-based or coconut-based both work), vegan butter sticks, and dairy-free cream cheese (Violife or Kite Hill). The texture won’t be identical, but it holds together and the eggnog flavor still comes through.

Serving Ideas

Serving these bars can be kept simple. A quick sprinkle of powdered sugar tops each bar to avoid additional sweetness. A small amount of freshly grated nutmeg on top right before serving will enhance the aroma.

They pair perfectly with holiday eggnog cookies! Same flavor with a nice contrasting texture. You can also let them sit at room temperature for hours, making them a great fit for parties, potlucks, etc.

Try serving each bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a small amount of whipped cream that has been lightly sweetened. The creamy contrast of ice cream or whipped cream and the bar is pretty good.

Storage, Make-Ahead, and Leftovers

Refrigerator

Keep leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 5 days. Surprisingly, the cheesecake layer gets better after a night in the refrigerator! As it cools, the cheesecake layer firms up and the blended flavors settle together for an even better taste.

Freezer

These can be frozen. Slice them into single bars and freeze each one on a baking sheet until solid (approximately 1 to 2 hours). After that, you can put them in a freezer bag or freeze them in an airtight container. To prevent the bars from sticking, you can place a sheet or layer of parchment paper in between each of the bars. They will stay good for 2 months. You can thaw them in the refrigerator for one day to enjoy.

Make-Ahead

To be honest, these are best the day before. Bake these, cool, cover the pan, and refrigerate them overnight. They will be set the next day, easy to cut, and the flavors have had time to meld. It’s perfect for the holidays when you can’t bake the day of.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade eggnog?

Sure. As long as your homemade eggnog is full-fat and has a similar consistency to the store-bought version, it will work here. If your homemade version is thinner or more custardy, reduce the amount in the cheesecake layer by a tablespoon or so to prevent the filling from becoming too loose.

My cheesecake layer has lumps in it. What happened?

**Cold Cream Cheese**. If cream cheese was not completely softened before you started mixing, it won’t become smooth even with a hand mixer. You could try beating it a little longer; sometimes an additional minute on medium-high speed does help. Next time, give cream cheese 45 minutes to an hour to get to room temperature before starting.

Can I make these in an 8×8 or 9×9 pan?

You can do this, but the layers will be thicker, and the bars will take longer to bake — probably 45–50 minutes. Start checking for them at 40 minutes. The edges should be set, and the center should have just a slight jiggle. The bars will be taller and denser, which some people prefer.

Can I leave out the rum extract?

Definitely! The bars will taste fine without the alcohol, but will have more of a vanilla-eggnog taste, instead of that light boozy warmth. If these are for kids, leave it out. If you want to really amp up the holiday flavor, then keep it in.

Why does the center look underdone when I pull it from the oven?

That’s a design choice. As they cool, cheesecake bars will firm up. If you wait until the center looks set before removing them, in all likelihood, you have overbaked the bars. The edges will be firm and the crumble top will be toasty brown. Pull them at that point and trust that they will continue to cook.

Do I need a hand mixer or can I use a stand mixer?

When it comes to the cheesecake layer, either one works. A hand mixer is much easier to control, and for a small batch like this, you wouldn’t want to use a stand mixer since the bowl would be oversized for the job. If you’re using a stand mixer, go with the paddle attachment and start on low and then increase to a higher speed.

Related Recipes

If you enjoyed these bars, you might like these other recipes as well:

• Eggnog Cookies — same eggnog flavor, soft and chewy, with a vanilla glaze. These are a December staple.
• Eggnog Cake — full layer cake with eggnog baked into both the cake and the frosting.
• Pumpkin Bars — if you like this format (bar + cream cheese layer), the pumpkin version is worth making in fall.
• Christmas Cookie Bars — a simpler holiday bar if you want something with less assembly.