Luscious Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Squares Recipes

LEMON BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE DESSERT BARS

Steps:

• Lightly grease a 9×9 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
• Mix together the graham crumbs, melted butter and sugar and press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Beat together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Add the egg and neat for 1 minute/
• Blend in the whipping cream along with the lemon zest.
• Pour over the prepared crust.
• Sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the cheesecake batter.
• Bake for 25-35 minutes at 300 degrees F until the center sets.
• To ensure even baking you can place the baking pan into a larger baking pan and fill half way up with boiling water. This may slow down the cooking process and require a little extra baking time but the cheesecake will bake more evenly from the edges to the center.
• Cool completely before cutting into bars and serving. Store in the refrigerator or freeze until needed.
• I either pre-cut them into bars and freeze them in airtight containers with each one nestled inside a paper muffin tin liner to easily pluck out as many as you need to thaw at a time. I also freeze an entire batch, uncut, in case I need larger servings to serve as a decadent dessert for unexpected dinner guests.

BLUEBERRY LEMON CHEESECAKE SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Butter an 8-inch x 8-inch baking pan, then press a square of parchment paper into the pan. This will help you lift out the finished product.
• Make the crust: Place the graham crackers in a large Ziploc bag, and crush with a rolling pin. In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and the sugar. Pour in the 1/4 cup melted butter, and mix until well incorporated. Press into the baking pan. (You can also process the graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter in a food processor, if you prefer.)
• Bake the crust for about 12 minutes, or until it begins to turn golden brown. Let cool completely.
• Mix the filling: Use a stand or hand mixer with a whisk attachment (if you have one), and beat together the cream cheese, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and sugar until smooth. You can also do this in a blender or food processor to help ensure a smooth consistency. I simply used my Kitchenaid stand mixer and the whisk attachment.
• Pour and sprinkle: Pour the filling over the cooled graham cracker crust. Spread evenly with a knife or spatula. And now sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the top. Pretty!
• Bake, cool, cut, and serve: Bake at 325 degrees for about 40 minutes, or until the middle just barely jiggles. I recommend you start checking the bars at about 35 minutes, though - ovens vary! Allow to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
• Remove from fridge, and using the parchment paper as little "handles," remove the bars from the pan. Cut into squares with a sharp knife. Serve.

LEMON BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Place parchment paper in the bottom of 9X9 pan, extending up over sides and over top. Turn pan, and put in another sheet. This will help you get the cheesecake out perfectly.
• For the Base:.
• In a food processor, combine the graham crackers, sugar and cinnamon, process until you have very small crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse a couple of times to full incorporate the butter. Pour into the lined baking pan and gently pat down. Cook for 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• For the Filling:.
• To the food processsor bowl, add cream cheese, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice and sugar. Process for a few seconds until well combined. It should be smooth and kind of glossy. Pour into the cooled base, smooth gently into the corners and then sprinkle with the blueberries (I have used frozen berries with excellent results). Don't stir! Bake for 35 minutes or until the center only slightly jiggles. Chill for 3 hours, then grasp the parchament handles and lift the entire cheesecake out. Cut into 10 squares. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.