Description
Lemon blueberry cheesecake bars blend tangy citrus with sweet berries in a creamy dessert paradise. Silky smooth layers promise a delightful escape that will leave you craving another heavenly bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Base:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Garnishes:
- Fresh blueberries
- Lemon zest
- Lemon slices
- Powdered sugar
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until well combined, creating a uniform sandy texture.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a compact crust layer.
- Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden, then remove and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy, eliminating any lumps.
- Incorporate eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a silky consistency.
- Gently fold in flour, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, stirring until the filling is perfectly blended.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust, using a spatula to create an even, smooth surface.
- Gently toss blueberries with a touch of lemon juice and sugar, then delicately distribute them across the cheesecake layer.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a set center and slight golden edges, indicating perfect doneness.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to achieve optimal texture and flavor.
- Once chilled, slice into bars and serve chilled for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing.
- Gently fold blueberries to prevent breaking and maintain their fresh appearance.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs.
- Zest the lemon before juicing to maximize flavor and avoid waste.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 252 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 134 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 53 mg