Best Rich Eggnog Cheesecake Bars with Salted Caramel Sauce

In this recipe, a delicate butter shortbread crust lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg is topped with a rum cheesecake and then drizzled with luscious, salted caramel. We’re using our organic Kamut All-Purpose flour to give the crust the right amount of protein for stability without making it tough. Using a butter replacement is tempting, but you will want the real deal for this crust.

Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before using it in the cheesecake. Use your favorite eggnog, but for best results, be sure it is full fat. We suggest using vanilla bean paste, which gives the cheesecake a rich flavor and signature vanilla bean specks.

Caramel Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

Crust

½ cup sugar

½ cup softened butter

1 ½ cup Panhandle Milling KAMUT® All-Purpose Flour

½ tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

Filling

½ cup sugar

2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened

½ cup eggnog

3 large Eggs

1 Tbsp. Vanilla bean paste

1 ½ tsp. rum flavor

1 Tbsp. Panhandle Milling KAMUT® All-Purpose Flour

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 jar (11.5 oz.) Smucker’s Simple Delight Salted Caramel Topping

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• For the Crust: Combine ½ cup sugar and butter in a bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Add 1 ½  cups flour, ½  tsp nutmeg, and 1 tsp cinnamon; beat at low speed until well mixed. (The Mixture will be crumbly.) Press the crust mixture onto the bottom of an ungreased 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake for 15-17 minutes.
• For the filling, Combine the sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add the eggnog, eggs, vanilla, and rum to the sugar mixture. Beat at medium speed, scraping the bowl often until the mixture is creamy. Spread the filling over the hot, partially baked crust; sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg. Continue baking for 28-33 minutes or until set. Cool completely in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Cut into bars with a wet knife.
• Drizzle with the Salted caramel topping and garnish with chocolate curls or fresh berries if desired. Store refrigerated.