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Creamy Stars and Stripes Cheesecake Bars

stars and stripes cheesecake bars - featured image
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A festive and easy patriotic dessert featuring creamy cheesecake bars with red and blue berry swirls on a buttery graham cracker crust, perfect for summer celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheets; honey-flavored preferred)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (dairy-free butter optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • ½ cup fresh strawberries, pureed and strained
  • ½ cup fresh blueberries, pureed and strained
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to sweeten berry purees)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter until mixture is evenly moistened. Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  3. Bake crust for 10 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  4. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with ⅔ cup sugar until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each. Stir in vanilla extract and lemon juice. Fold in sour cream until silky.
  5. Divide cheesecake batter into three portions: about ⅓ into two small bowls and leave the rest plain.
  6. Mix strawberry puree with one portion and blueberry puree with the other, adding sugar if needed.
  7. Dollop plain batter in even stripes across crust, then add red strawberry batter next to it, followed by blue blueberry batter. Use a toothpick or skewer to gently swirl the colors to create a stars and stripes pattern.
  8. Bake for 35-40 minutes until edges are set but center jiggles slightly. Avoid opening oven door during baking.
  9. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
  10. Cut into squares using a sharp knife, wiping blade clean between cuts.

Notes

Use dairy-free cream cheese and sour cream alternatives for a dairy-free version. Frozen berries can be used if fresh are unavailable. Avoid overmixing batter to prevent cracks. Chill bars thoroughly before slicing for clean cuts. Cover cracks with fresh berries or whipped cream if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesecake bars, patriotic dessert, Fourth of July dessert, berry swirl cheesecake, easy cheesecake bars, summer dessert

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/creamy-stars-and-stripes-cheesecake-bars-easy-patriotic-dessert-recipe/