Description
Blueberry cream cheese bars offer a delightful symphony of sweet and tangy flavors that dance across your palate. Summer’s freshest berries mingle with creamy cheese in a buttery graham cracker crust, creating a dessert that invites you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
Dairy Components:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.
- Create the crust by combining flour, half the sugar, and butter in a food processor, pulsing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan, creating a compact base layer.
- Whip cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth and creamy, incorporating remaining sugar, eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract, salt, and lemon zest.
- Toss blueberries with cornstarch in a separate bowl to prevent sinking and ensure even distribution.
- Gently fold cornstarch-coated blueberries into the cream cheese mixture, maintaining fruit’s structural integrity.
- Pour the blueberry cream cheese mixture over the prepared crust, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and edges are lightly golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
- Refrigerate for an additional 2 hours to firm up and enhance flavor melding.
- Lift the bars from the pan using parchment paper edges, slice into squares, and serve chilled.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smoother, lump-free mixing, preventing dense or grainy texture in the bars.
- Coat blueberries thoroughly with cornstarch to prevent color bleeding and maintain structural integrity during baking.
- Use fresh or frozen blueberries; if using frozen, do not thaw to prevent excess moisture and potential soggy crust.
- Consider low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt substitution for a lighter, healthier version without compromising creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg