Ingredients
– 12 full-sheet graham crackers (about 1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs)
– 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
– 1 large egg
– 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon lemon zest
– 3 tablespoons lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
– 1 and 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw if frozen)
Instructions
1-Follow these steps closely to achieve that creamy texture and vibrant flavor. Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF (177ยฐC) and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper for easy removal later. In a bowl, crush 12 full-sheet graham crackers into fine crumbs, then mix in 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter until it forms a thick, sandy mixture. Press this evenly into the bottom of the pan without packing it too hard, then prebake for 8 minutes and let it cool slightly.
2-Next, in another bowl, beat 16 ounces of softened full-fat cream cheese until smooth, then add 1 large egg, 6 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Beat this until it’s creamy and well combined, about 3 minutes. Gently fold in 1 and 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, then spread the filling evenly over the warm crust and bake for 30-35 minutes until the edges are lightly browned and the center is set.
3-After baking, cool the bars at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours to fully chill and set. Once ready, remove them from the pan using the parchment overhang and cut into squares with a sharp knife, cleaning the blade between cuts for neat slices. This method helps avoid sogginess and ensures the bars hold their shape, making them ideal for sharing or storing.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
๐ง Use full-fat cream cheese in block form, not spreadable tubs, for the best texture and flavor
โฐ Chill the bars well before slicing for clean cuts – they set up beautifully in the refrigerator
๐ซ Don’t thaw frozen blueberries before folding into the filling – they’ll bleed less and hold their shape better
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chilling Time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/9 of recipe)
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
