Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Servings: 125
Creamy lemon cheesecake bars with strawberry swirls!


Ingredients

FOR THE LEMON SHORTBREAD LAYER:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• FOR THE STRAWBERRY SAUCE:
• 2 cups fresh strawberrìes, slìced
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juìce
• FOR THE LEMON CHEESECAKE LAYER:
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons vanìlla

Directions

FOR THE LEMON SHORTBREAD LAYER:

• Mix the flour, butter, sugar, lemon zest and salt and press into the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
• Bake in a preheated 375F/190C oven until lightly golden brown on top, about 15-20 minutes, before setting aside to cool.

FOR THE STRAWBERRY SAUCE:

Simmer everything in a small sauce pan until until the sauce thickens a bit, about 10-15 minutes before pureeing in a food processor or blender.

FOR THE LEMON CHEESECAKE LAYER:

• Beat the cream cheese until smooth before beating in the eggs followed by the sugar, lemon zest and vanilla.
• Pour the cheesecake onto the shortbread layer in the baking pan, dollop on a few spoonfuls of the strawberry sauce and swirl it around with a knife to create a nice pattern.
• Bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until set (the centre should only wiggle a bit when you shake the pan a lightly), about 25-35 minutes, before removing from oven and letting cool. (Optionally let chill in the fridge overnight.)

Visit  " closetcooking.com "For More Recipes