Cranberry-Orange Cheesecake Bars

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2
Combine butter and brown sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Stir in flour and walnuts until crumbly. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish.

Step 3
Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.

Step 4
Meanwhile, combine cream cheese and white sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add cranberries, orange juice, eggs, orange zest, and vanilla extract, mix until well combined. Spread cream cheese filling onto cooled crust.

Step 5
Bake until surface of cheesecake is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack, and allow the cheesecake to cool at room temperature, about 1 hour. Refrigerate until completely chilled, 4 hours to overnight.

Step 6
Cut into 12 bars and serve.