Blueberries & Cream Bars

Blueberries & Cream Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups ground graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese (I used Greek yogurt cream cheese), softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pint blueberries
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Instructions:
 Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray an 8x8-inch baking dish cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, butter and brown sugar until well combined; press into prepared dish,  Bake 10 minutes or until crisp and fragrant.
In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together cream cheese until creamy.  Beat in sugar, egg and vanilla until well combined.

Toss together the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice in a large bowl until well combined.  Place blueberries evenly on top of graham cracker crust.  Pour cream cheese mixture on top.

To make the streusel, in a medium bowl, knead together butter, flour and brown sugar, using fingertips (or a pastry blender) until mealy and well combined.  Sprinkle streusel on top of cream cheese mixture.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and set.  Cool 1 hour before refrigerating.  Refrigerate until cold before slicing.

Makes 12 bars