Zesty Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars
Inspired by a delightful summer visit to Tyler Florence's charming shop in Mill Valley, CA, these Zesty Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars are a fresh and vibrant twist on traditional cheesecake. The buttery graham cracker crust provides a perfect base for a creamy filling infused with bright lemon flavor and bursting with juicy blueberries. Ideal for gatherings, picnics, or as a refreshing dessert, these bars are sure to impress your friends and family with their luscious taste and stunning presentation.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
sugar
2 tablespoons (for the crust)
cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (for the crust)
graham crackers
9 (crushed into small crumbs)
butter
1/4 cup (melted)
cream cheese
16 ounces (at room temperature)
eggs
2 (at room temperature)
lemons
2 (zested and juiced)
sugar
1/2 cup (for the filling)
fresh blueberries
1 1/2 cups (washed and ready to use)
powdered sugar
2 tablespoons (for dusting (optional))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2
Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal later. Rotate the pan and add another sheet in the opposite direction.
3
Prepare the crust: In a food processor, combine graham crackers, sugar, and cinnamon. Pulse until finely ground. Add melted butter and pulse until well mixed.
4
Evenly pour the crumb mixture into the lined pan and gently press down to form a solid crust. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, then remove and let it cool.
5
While the crust cools, prepare the filling: In the same food processor (no need to clean it), combine the room temperature cream cheese, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and sugar. Blend until smooth and glossy, scraping the sides as needed.
6
Once the crust has cooled, pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust. Gently smooth it into the corners and then evenly sprinkle fresh blueberries over the top. Do not stir the blueberries into the filling.
7
Bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until the center has a slight jiggle but is mostly set.
8
Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for a bit, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours to set completely.
9
To serve, carefully lift the cheesecake out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 10 squares and dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired the Zesty Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars?
The recipe was inspired by a visit to Tyler Florence's shop in Mill Valley, CA.
What is the recommended oven temperature for this recipe?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
What size baking pan should I use?
You should use a 9x9-inch baking pan.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
What ingredients are in the crust?
The crust consists of 9 graham crackers, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of melted butter.
How do I prepare the graham cracker crumbs?
Pulse the graham crackers, sugar, and cinnamon in a food processor until finely ground.
How long does the crust need to bake?
The crust should bake for 12 minutes before adding the filling.
What tools are used to make the crust and filling?
A food processor is used to mix both the crust and the cream cheese filling.
How much cream cheese is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 16 ounces of cream cheese at room temperature.
How many eggs are used in the filling?
The filling uses 2 eggs at room temperature.
How many lemons do I need?
You will need 2 lemons, both zested and juiced.
How much sugar goes into the cream cheese filling?
The filling requires 1/2 cup of sugar.
What is the desired texture of the filling before baking?
The mixture should be blended until it is smooth and glossy.
When do I add the blueberries?
Sprinkle the blueberries over the top of the filling after it has been poured over the cooled crust.
Should I mix the blueberries into the cream cheese?
No, do not stir the blueberries into the filling; simply sprinkle them on top.
How many blueberries are needed?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of fresh, washed blueberries.
How long should the bars bake?
Bake the bars for approximately 35 minutes.
How can I tell when the bars are finished baking?
The center should have a slight jiggle but be mostly set.
Do the bars need to be refrigerated?
Yes, they should be chilled in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours to set completely.
What is the best way to remove the bars from the pan?
Carefully lift the cheesecake out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang.
How many squares does this recipe yield?
The recipe makes 10 squares.
Is there an optional garnish for these bars?
Yes, you can dust the bars with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar before serving.
Why should the cream cheese be at room temperature?
Room temperature cream cheese blends more easily to create a smooth, lump-free filling.
What provides the buttery base for these bars?
A graham cracker crust mixed with melted butter and sugar.
Can I use a different size pan?
The recipe is optimized for a 9x9-inch pan; using a different size may affect the thickness and baking time.
Does the recipe include cinnamon?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon is added to the graham cracker crust.
Is the lemon flavor strong?
The bars are infused with both the zest and juice of two lemons for a bright, zesty flavor.
Should the crust be cooled before adding the filling?
Yes, the instructions state to let the crust cool while you prepare the filling.
Are these bars suitable for picnics?
Yes, they are described as an ideal dessert for gatherings and picnics.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).