Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars Scrumptious Treats

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Mix until well combined.
3. Press the graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
4. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
6. In a separate bowl, toss the blueberries with cornstarch to coat them evenly. This will help the berries not sink in the cheesecake mixture.
7. Gently fold the blueberries into the cream cheese mixture until just combined.
8. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust and spread it evenly.
9. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
11. Once chilled, cut into bars and serve. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or garnish with additional blueberries before serving.