Lemon-Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars

Ingredients

• 9 tbs unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 C graham cracker crumbs (~9 oz graham crackers)
• ¼ C granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ C granulated sugar
• 2 tsp lemon zest (~1 medium lemon)
• 3 tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice (~1 medium lemon)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 2 C fresh blueberries, divided
• Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat: Heat oven to 350°F and line an 8x8" pan with parchment, leaving an overhang.
2. Make Crust: Process graham crackers with sugar and salt into fine crumbs. Add melted butter and mix until combined. Reserve some crumbs for topping.
3. Press & Bake: Press remaining crumbs into the pan. Bake until lightly browned, about 12-15 minutes. Let cool slightly.
4. Make Filling: Blend cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt and mix well. Add eggs one at a time and blend until just combined.
5. Add Fruit: Fold in most of the blueberries. Spread filling over the crust and sprinkle remaining blueberries and reserved crumbs on top.
6. Bake: Bake until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly, about 30-35 minutes.
7. Cool & Chill: Cool completely, then refrigerate until fully set.
8. Serve: Lift out using parchment, slice into bars, and serve.

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