Description
Delight in these luscious Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars, featuring a crisp graham cracker crust and a creamy lemon-infused cheesecake filling swirled with sweet strawberry preserves. Perfectly balanced with a hint of zest, these bars make an irresistible summertime dessert that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping and Garnish
- 1 cup strawberry preserves or strawberry sauce
- Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal of the bars later.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter. Mix well until the crumbs are evenly coated. Firmly press this mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to create an even crust. Bake it for 8 minutes, then remove and let it cool slightly.
- Beat the Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar together until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the cream cheese mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a smooth texture.
- Combine Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the sour cream, all-purpose flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until the batter is fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the cheesecake filling over the baked crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Drop spoonfuls of strawberry preserves over the filling surface.
- Create Strawberry Swirls: Using a knife, gently swirl the strawberry preserves through the cheesecake batter to create a marbled effect.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the center just sets but still has a slight jiggle.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to firm up for clean slices.
- Serve: Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang, slice into 16 bars, and garnish with fresh strawberries if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Strawberry jam or a fresh strawberry puree can substitute for strawberry preserves.
- Chilling the bars overnight improves slicing ease and enhances flavor melding.
