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Perfect Red White Blue Cheesecake Bars

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These easy patriotic cheesecake bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy tangy filling, and a fresh red, white, and blue berry topping—perfect for summer celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full sheets)
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting.
  2. Make the crust: In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix until crumbs are evenly coated and look like wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan.
  3. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Let it cool while preparing the filling.
  4. Prepare the cheesecake filling: Beat softened cream cheese with sugar until smooth but not overmixed. Add egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream, mixing just to combine.
  5. Pour the filling over the cooled crust and smooth evenly. Shake the pan gently to release air bubbles.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are set but center has a slight jiggle. Avoid overbaking to prevent cracks.
  7. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  8. Before serving, arrange sliced strawberries and blueberries on top. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
  9. Slice into squares using a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts and enjoy.

Notes

Bring cream cheese and egg to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps and cracking. Do not overmix the filling to prevent cracks. Chill bars thoroughly for clean slicing. Press crust firmly before baking and bake crust to set it. Fresh berries are preferred for topping to avoid soggy bars. Optional: swirl lemon zest into filling for fresh zing. Use almond flour for gluten-free crust or vegan cream cheese and coconut yogurt for dairy-free option.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesecake bars, patriotic dessert, red white blue dessert, July 4th dessert, easy cheesecake bars, berry cheesecake bars

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/perfect-red-white-blue-cheesecake-bars-easy-patriotic-dessert-recipe/