Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
These Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate dessert for spring and summer! With a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy lemon-kissed cheesecake layer, and swirls of fresh strawberry, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just because!
Ingredients
- For the crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- For the cheesecake layer:
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- For the strawberry swirl:
- ¾ cup fresh strawberries chopped
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust: In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until evenly moistened, then press firmly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the strawberry puree: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until soft and jammy. Blend until smooth and let cool.
- Mix the cheesecake batter: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla, flour, lemon juice, and zest until creamy.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust. Spoon strawberry puree on top in small dollops and use a toothpick or knife to swirl gently.
- Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the center is just set and the edges are slightly golden. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Slice and serve: Once chilled, lift from the pan using parchment and slice into bars. Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best tangy flavor.
- Bars can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- For extra texture, top with crushed freeze-dried strawberries or whipped cream before serving.