Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars: A Deliciously Easy Recipe to Try Today

Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars are a delightful treat that perfectly balances the sweetness of fresh blueberries with the rich, creamy texture of cream cheese. As I first discovered this recipe, I was captivated not only by its vibrant colors but also by its incredible flavor profile. These bars have a fascinating history, often found in family cookbooks passed down through generations, making them a beloved dessert in many households. People adore Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars for their luscious taste and the convenience of being able to whip them up in no time. Whether served at a summer picnic or enjoyed as a cozy dessert at home, these bars are sure to impress your family and friends. Join me as we dive into this scrumptious recipe that is bound to become a favorite in your kitchen!

Ingredients:

• For the crust:
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• For the cream cheese filling:
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• For the blueberry topping:
• 2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed and drained)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparing the Crust

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is an important step to ensure that your bars bake evenly.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix these dry ingredients together until they are well combined.
3. Add ½ cup of softened unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This will create a nice, crumbly texture for the crust.
4. Next, add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mixture. Stir until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want the dough to be moist but not sticky.
5. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking pan. Make sure to spread it out evenly, as this will be the base of your bars.
6. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until it is lightly golden. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-baking.

Preparing the Cream Cheese Filling

1. While the crust is baking, let’s prepare the cream cheese filling. In a medium mixing bowl, beat 8 oz of softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it’s smooth and creamy.
2. Add ½ cup of granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the cream cheese. Beat the mixture until it is well combined and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
3. Once the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, pour the cream cheese filling over the warm crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
4. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly puffed. You can check for doneness by gently shaking the pan; the filling should not jiggle too much.

Preparing the Blueberry Topping

1. While the cream cheese filling is baking, let’s prepare the blueberry topping. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 2 cups of fresh blueberries, ¼ cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
2. Stir the mixture gently to combine, and then cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the blueberries start to burst and the mixture thickens slightly. You want to create a syrupy consistency that will complement the cream cheese filling.
3. Once the blueberries are cooked down, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool slightly. This will allow the topping to thicken a bit more as it cools.

Assembling the Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars

1. After the cream cheese filling has finished baking, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes.

Conclusion:

In summary, these Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars are an absolute must-try for anyone looking to indulge in a delightful dessert that perfectly balances sweetness and creaminess. The luscious cream cheese layer paired with the burst of fresh blueberries creates a flavor combination that is simply irresistible. Whether you’re serving them at a summer picnic, a family gathering, or just enjoying a quiet evening at home, these bars are sure to impress. For a fun twist, consider adding a sprinkle of lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for a refreshing citrus kick, or swap out the blueberries for raspberries or strawberries for a different fruity experience. You can also serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for an extra special treat! I encourage you to give this recipe a try and experience the joy of baking these Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars. Once you do, I would love to hear about your experience! Share your thoughts, any variations you tried, or even a picture of your delicious creation. Happy baking! Print

Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars: A Deliciously Easy Recipe to Try Today
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• Author: Maria
• Total Time: 65 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
Print Recipe
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Description
Enjoy these Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars with a buttery crust, creamy filling, and a sweet blueberry topping. Perfect for any occasion, they offer a delightful balance of flavors and textures that will satisfy your sweet tooth!
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Ingredients
Scale 1x2x3x
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed and drained)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
3. Add ½ cup of softened unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Stir in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
5. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking pan.
6. Bake the crust for about 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
7. In a medium mixing bowl, beat 8 oz of softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
8. Add ½ cup of granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Beat until well combined and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
9. Once the crust is done baking, pour the cream cheese filling over the warm crust, spreading it evenly.
10. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly puffed.
11. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 2 cups of fresh blueberries, ¼ cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
12. Stir gently and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the blueberries start to burst and the mixture thickens slightly.
13. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
14. After the cream cheese filling has finished baking, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
15. Pour the blueberry topping over the cream cheese layer, spreading it evenly.
16. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares.
Notes
• For a more intense blueberry flavor, consider adding a splash of blueberry extract to the topping.
• These bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes