Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

Dessert
255 min
16 servings

These Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Squares feature a creamy lemon cheesecake filling with a raspberry swirl topped on a homemade graham cracker crust.

Ingredients

  • 9full-sheet (135 grams) graham crackers ((or 1 and ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ cupbutter (, melted
  • 2 tablespoonsgranulated sugar
  • 16 ouncesbrick-style cream cheese (, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cupgranulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoonvanilla extract
  • ¼ cuplemon juice
  • zest of 1 lemon ((1 tablespoon
  • 2 largeeggs (, room temperature
  • ½ cupraspberries
  • 1 tablespoongranulated sugar

Directions

To make the crust:

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, making sure to leave some overhang for easy removal. Set aside.

  2. 2

    Place the graham crackers in a food processor and process until you have fine crumbs. Scoop the crumbs into a mixing bowl, add in the melted butter and sugar, and stir well until well combined.

  3. 3

    Scoop the mixture into the prepared pan and firmly press it down into one even layer.

  4. 4

    Bake at 325°F for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Keep oven temperature at 325°F.

To make the cheesecake filling:

  1. 1

    Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth.

  2. 2

    Add in the sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest and continue mixing until well combined, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

  3. 3

    Mix in one egg at a time on low speed until just combined.

  4. 4

    Pour the cheesecake filling on top of the graham cracker crust.

To make the raspberry swirl

  1. 1

    Place the raspberries and sugar in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Strain the raspberry puree through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl to remove any seeds.

  2. 2

    Spoon the raspberry mixture in different spots on top of the filling, then use a knife to gently swirl.

  3. 3

    Bake at 325°F for about 35 minutes or until the top of the cheesecake is set.

  4. 4

    Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

  5. 5

    Cut into squares and enjoy!