Good morning! I hope that you are having a great week. I am trudging along, as I always do after a nice, long, leisurely weekend. My parents arrive today though so that should give me a bust of energy to get me through to Friday.
I have been cooking and baking up a feast in preparation of their arrival. One of my favorite things that I made are these Lemon Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars. They are tart, and sweet with a buttery crust and creamy cheesecake filling. All the flavors of summer on one easy bar.
Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Crust
11/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 stick of melted butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tablespoons sugar
Filling
16 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
2 lemons, juiced and zested
pinch of salt
Raspberry Swirl
1/2 cup of raspberries
Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Line the bottom of an 8 x 8 pan with foil, leave an overhang so that you can remove it from the pan easily. For the crust, in a small bowl combine the sugar, graham crumbs and cinnamon, mix then add the melted butter. Mix well, until the crumbs are moist, pour into prepared pan and press into the bottom and a little up the sides. Bake crust for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment beat softened cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed until combined and smooth. Add the eggs, zest, juice, vanilla and salt and beat until just combined. Pour into prepared crust.
Put raspberries and sugar into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. You can then strain the mixture or use it as is.
Dot the top of the cream cheese filling with raspberry puree and then swirl with a skewer to make desired design.
Bake the cake for 30 minutes until edges are set but still a little jiggly in the center. Remover from oven and cool on wire rack. Once cooled, refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Remove bars from pan then cut and serve and enjoy!
Have a great day!
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That's a big YUM! in my books Elizabeth, no doubt about it! We occasionally come across raspberries and lemons in Vietnam but it is more difficult than you might think. These bars look delicious and sinful…the best kind! Best wishes for a lovely visit with your parents…xx
This is beautiful! I love the combinations of tart & sweet. LaMadelaine has a Lemon White Chocolate Cookie which is one of my favorites, but your's is so much prettier. And, I LOVE raspberries. Have a wonderful visit with your parents.
I would definitely love the taste of these!
These sound great. Enjoy your visit
Cindy
I definitely should not read your blog when I am hungry – your blogs always look scrumptious! Have a great night! xoxo
I cannot wait until the weekend to allow myself to cheat off this no sugar diet!! These look amazing, K
Oh Elizabeth I'm so happy your parents will be visiting you! Mine just left. I know you're going to have a wonderful time. And these bars look so yummy!
What a gorgeous recipe, I love the combination of raspberries and lemon. Have a wonderful weekend with your parents. Jude x
These look SOOOOOO good! Hope you've had a wonderful time with your parents 🙂