Lemon-Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

Enjoy the sweet, rich flavor of cheesecake in miniature form with these decadent baked lemon-raspberry bars.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 200 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cooking spray (such as Pam®)
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 (6 ounce) container fresh raspberries, cut in half lengthwise
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 0.75 cup seedless raspberry preserves

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Process flour, brown sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor until blended. Add cold butter chunks and process until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Pour crust mixture into the prepared pan, shake it a bit to help even out the mixture, and press down gently with fingertips. Use a smaller pan, such as 8x8-inch, to press down the entire surface so the crust is smooth and tight.

Step 2

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Step 3

While the crust cools, heat jam in a microwave-safe bowl in a microwave just until warm, 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth.

Step 4

Beat cream cheese with an electric stand mixer for 1 minute; add sugar and flour and beat until well blended. With mixture running, add egg, egg yolk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth.

Step 5

Spread jam evenly over the cooled crust. Place raspberries, cut-side down, evenly over jam. Pour cream cheese mixture over berries and gently smooth mixture until it covers the entire pan.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven just until set, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool for 1 hour at room temperature, then place in the refrigerator to cool for another 2 hours.

Step 7

Gently lift cooled cheesecake from the baking pan using the foil overhang. Place on a cutting board, peel back edges of foil, and cut into 24 bars.

Step 8

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, allowing some to extend over the edges. Spray foil with cooking spray to keep the filling from sticking to the sides. You'll use the overhang to lift the bars from the pan to cut them.