Crumb Topped Blueberry-Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Crust:
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
Filling:
12 ounces cream cheese, (1 1/2 packages) softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 large eggs
1 pint fresh blueberries
Topping:
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds, toasted
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9-inch pan with foil and grease bottom and sides using preferred method.
To make the crust, in a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together butter and sugar until creamy, about 1-2 minutes; reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour mixture until just combined and crumbly. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until light golden around edges; remove from oven.
To make the filling, in a medium bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together cream cheese and sugar until creamy, about 1 minute. Beat in lemon juice, zest and almond extract until combined. Beat in eggs until combined, about 1 minute; pour filling over the top of crust, and evenly sprinkle with blueberries. Return pan to oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until set.
To make the topping, in a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour, almonds, cinnamon and salt, until combined; knead in butter using fingertips or a fork, until ingredients are well incorporated and start to clump together. Sprinkle the crumbly mixture evenly over the cheesecake filling. Return pan to oven and bake an additional 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for an hour before lightly covering and chilling for 2 hours, or until cold. Lift foil out of pan and slice cheesecake into rows, 3x5, to make 15 bars.
Makes 15 bars
Crust:
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
Filling:
12 ounces cream cheese, (1 1/2 packages) softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 large eggs
1 pint fresh blueberries
Topping:
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds, toasted
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9-inch pan with foil and grease bottom and sides using preferred method.
To make the crust, in a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together butter and sugar until creamy, about 1-2 minutes; reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour mixture until just combined and crumbly. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until light golden around edges; remove from oven.
To make the filling, in a medium bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together cream cheese and sugar until creamy, about 1 minute. Beat in lemon juice, zest and almond extract until combined. Beat in eggs until combined, about 1 minute; pour filling over the top of crust, and evenly sprinkle with blueberries. Return pan to oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until set.
To make the topping, in a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour, almonds, cinnamon and salt, until combined; knead in butter using fingertips or a fork, until ingredients are well incorporated and start to clump together. Sprinkle the crumbly mixture evenly over the cheesecake filling. Return pan to oven and bake an additional 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for an hour before lightly covering and chilling for 2 hours, or until cold. Lift foil out of pan and slice cheesecake into rows, 3x5, to make 15 bars.
Makes 15 bars
Deepest sympathies to you and your family, Em. I see a lot of your grandma in you from what you write. And it sounds like you had a special relationship with her. Celebrate her life and always treasure the memories. May she rest in peace!
ReplyDeleteThat was a sweet tribute to the grandmother and delicious cookies.
ReplyDeleteAwesome cheesecake bars Em, and more importantly, a great touching post. I love how you touched on her style and love for music and life. You're very lucky to have such a caring person impact your life and support you.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post Emily...she sounds like quite a character! I'm sure she would love these cheesecake bars.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story about your Gram, Em. What wonderful memories you have to keep her close to your heart. Thanks for sharing. I'm baking a blueberry lemon cake today. These will make the cake pale in comparison, they look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteEmily, I'm very sorry for the loss of your grandma. Your post today was a very sweet, loving tribute to her, and I think we all feel like we knew her a little bit now. What wonderful memories you have. Thanks for sharing them with us! Thanks also for this incredible recipe. I'm bookmarking it on Delicious so I can find it again, once I can turn my oven on again without disappearing in a puff of heat stroke!
ReplyDeleteWOW that looks delish! Wish I could have that for breakfast!! :-D
ReplyDeleteI love you, Emily.
ReplyDeletevery sweet! I'm sorry again...
ReplyDeleteOh, Emily, I'm sorry to hear about your Grandma!
ReplyDeleteThese bars look fantastic! I REALLY wish we weren't going out of town in two days, or I'd make them now because I have an extra container of blueberries that I'll have to freeze before we leave. I'll have to try them when we get back.
You'll surely think of your grandma often (especially when you dig up a spoonful of sugar for something!). Cherish the memories. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Great tribute to her here!
Emily, again I'm so sorry about the loss of your grandmother. She sounds like she was a truly wonderful lady.
ReplyDeleteMy mom's parents were in Japan. My father's died before we were born. So we never had a grandparent.
How lucky you were to have someone like her.
Ramona
A perfect tribute to your grandma Emiline. Thank you for sharing your treasured memories with us.
ReplyDeleteToo sweet. How lucky you were to have such a spirited grandmother and I'm sure she was proud of having the best baker in the land as a granddaughter. I love that your father passed down his Joy of Cooking from Grandma. That is a real family heirloom.
ReplyDeleteIncredible cheesecake bars.
Beautiful post, dear Emily.
ReplyDeleteAmazing story, I have similar memories growing up with my Nana and I like to describe her as being feisty :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about your grandma! She sounds like a great lady. I'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThese bars look delicious. I love how purple the blueberries are!
I'm so sorry, darling. Your grandma will always be proud of you, be sure of that.
ReplyDeletexx
Great post - your Grandma sounds like an amazing woman!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your grandma :(, she sounds like she was so much fun.
ReplyDeleteThese cheesecake bars are beautiful, the berry color is gorgeous.
Im so sorry about your grandmother. She sounds like she was an amazing woman and very special to you!
ReplyDeleteThese bars look and sound amazing!! I love the crumb topping!
See, this is what a mean, you keep people alive by perpetuating what they have taught you. Imagine just having a spoonfull of sugar for something sweet... hahaha you great-grandmother clearly didn't have a nice your lady like you around to bake her nice treats!
ReplyDeleteThis is a sad story and you have all
ReplyDeletemy sympathies. Your grandma will be remembered amond the food bloggers with this great recipe of yours.
such a personal post! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the look of your bars...such great layers of flavors and textures going on!
I m sure your grandma is watching over you and is still following every step you make. These bars look delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful tribute to your Gran. It is a wonderful celebration of her life - so sorry to hear that such a lovely lady is no longer with us. I am sure that your Gran (and her Mom)would've loved these bars - much nicer than just a spoonful of sugar.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. I am so sorry for your loss. You are lucky to have had someone so special in your life. I'm looking for a dessert like this to serve at a party. Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure your grandma was so proud of what a wonderful cook and person you are (and these bars are just one proof point!)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss,Em.
ReplyDeleteThis bar is sooo calling my name.
Love blueberry and lemon together. The bars look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI am sending you and your family my best. Touching post.
ReplyDeleteYou're grandma sounds like she totally rocked.
ReplyDeleteYour cheesecake bars look wonderful except I'm thinking balckberry as I've got a ton of blackberries!
~ingrid
Such wonderful memories you have about your grandmother. You were very blessed to have such an influence in your life.
ReplyDeleteYum. What great memories to go alongside this yummy looking recipe!
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother sounds like a great lady! You've done her proud.
Thank you for all of the kind words, everyone.
ReplyDeleteI love you, peanut. :)
well, emily, you’ve managed to ignite my tear ducts and saliva glands all in one post. beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteYour grandma sounds like she was the most awesome grandma ever :) And these bars look awesome, so I'd say this is a very successful tribute!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute for your grandmother Emily. I am sure she would have love this. They look delicious.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your grandma. This is a beautiful tribute that you wrote. I too have a very special relationship with my grandma, and I can so relate to how much you treasure it. The cheesecake bars look incredible.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your grandmother, but this was such a touching post. Hold tight to all of your lovely memories.
ReplyDeleteSarah
this looks so good my knees are going weak xx
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteYou and your family are in my prayers. My grandma passed away in 2006 and I still miss her greatly. She made some awesome homemade biscuits. :-) And all kinds of pies. It's great that you had such a close relationship. Remember that. :-)
So sorry for your loss Emily. Your post is such a lovely tribute to her and I hope you and your family are doing ok.
ReplyDeleteDear Emily, I am sorry for your loss,..
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great tribute to your beloved grand ma!
You make her proud!
Remember all the good times you had with her,...
These dessert treats look so delicious!
I'm so sorry for your loss. Your grandmother sounds like quite a woman! How lucky for you both that you were able to have a strong bond and relationship. I'm sure she would have liked these, they look stunning.
ReplyDeletethese look like heaven... can't stop drooling
ReplyDeleteReally sweet post, your grandma does sound pretty awesome. Lovely bars you made :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. You shared her essence with us.
ReplyDeleteYou have those wonderful memories to keep her alive in your heart.
My condolences to you and yours.
She sounds like a wonderful grandmother. I know she would have loved those bars.
ReplyDeleteI think you should make a recipe up and dedicate it to your sweet Grandma! My deepest Sympathies my dear! She is listeing or visiting with the Stones now in heaven! These look delicious!
ReplyDeleteYou and your grandma sound like me and mine. I miss her, too. Thanks for sharing a bit about her. Those cheesecake bars look fabulous! I can't wait to try them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and these bars sound really delicious.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have lots of special memories with your grandmother, things you'll never forget!! These are a great way to celebrate such a special woman :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a good granddaughter! Grandmothers are the best and teach us so many things. I'm so sorry to here of your loss, I'm sure your grandmother was so proud of you!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading about your grandmother. I can see why you adored her as much as you did. I don't think I've ever tried Black Walnut ice cream. Hmm. I wonder what my grandmother's favorite flavor was. I'll have to ask my mom (and dad). My dad's mother is from the south and one of the recipes I always remember her making for us was chocolate gravy.It's sound icky but, trust me, it was amazing.
ReplyDeleteI would love to make your bars, they look divine!
Glad to have come across your blog. I'll be back! :0)
What a lovely tribute you wrote to your grandmother. Reading your words made me miss mine. She sounded like an incredibly fun woman. Not easy to be fun! I know I would of liked her, a lot! I love black walnut ice cream, haven't not heard anyone else that has for many a moon. You are so fortunate to have such wonderful memories to have with you for always. Cannot wait to try your incredible recipe. All the best to you and your family, especially at this sad time.
ReplyDeleteXx deb
Emily I love you for being so sweet! Mom/Grandma was and still is, very proud of you. You GO GIRL! I miss her so much and reading about her in your blog brought me more comfort today than anyone else could have. I know we live far apart but our love of cooking--especially sweets bonds us. And by the way, your cherry pie was great. I had it for breakfast! Lots of love, Aunt Joan
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss... your grandmother sounded like she was a very happy lady.
ReplyDeletewow - your blueberries are psychedelic!
ReplyDeleteHi Aunt Joan! I'm glad you liked the cherry pie.
ReplyDeleteI'm also glad you liked the post. :) Thanks for stopping by! Also, you inspired me to bake a blueberry pie, because you started talking about it when we were sitting out on the deck.
touching post and delicious looking recipe!
ReplyDeleteA very touching post - your grandmas sounds like a wonderful woman! I'm sure she would have liked these, I mean just look at them!! Who wouldn't?
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe! We tried it this week, and it was a big hit at our house!
Do you think I could substitute lemon curd for the lemon juice and zest? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnon, I don't think that would work.
ReplyDeleteYou could tryyy to mix the cream cheese, lemon curd and eggs together, and bake that on top of the crust. Not sure if if would work though. Good luck!
Hi Emily - I made these yesterday, and received rave reviews. They are probably one of my favorite things I've ever made! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDelete- Maggie
Hi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteYaaay! That makes me so happy! I'm glad you like them. I hope you make them many years to come!
I'm going to be thanking your grandmother over and over again! Thank you for sharing her and her food...this way we can all have the opportunity to share in her joy. I bet she was totally like mine who shared love via food :) Well, tomorrow her love will be shared forward once again....this way she will always be paid forward!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily,
ReplyDeleteI baked these, changed the type of nut from almonds to pecans...I posted and noted the adaptation and linked to your blog. They are a hit with all my family and work friends! Thank you!