Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Lemon Cheesecake Bars w/Strawberry Sauce

  • Author: Ann
  • Prep Time: 25 min
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: 25 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 stick butter (8 oz.), softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the cheesecake:

  • 1 8-oz. package Greek cream cheese (or Neufchatel)
  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt

For the strawberry sauce (optional):

  • 1 lb. strawberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch + 2 Tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. and line a 9x9x2 inch pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the crust ingredients until no clumps of butter remain and the mixture is fine and crumbly. Pour the crumb mixture into the prepared pan and press down to make an even layer of crust. Bake at 350 F. for 20 – 25 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the cheesecake mixture. In the same bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy for about 2 minutes. Add the egg and yolk and beat for another minute, scraping down the sides with a spatula. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat for another 2 minutes, scraping as you go. Pour over the prepared crust and use a spatula to smooth it out.
  4. Bake the cheesecake for 25 – 30 minutes or until the cheesecake is set in the middle and lightly browned on the edges. Remove from oven and let cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
  5. If strawberry sauce is desired, put the strawberries, sugar and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir to mix and cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes or until the strawberries are soft and have released their juices. Put the berries into a mini food processor or blender and pulse to roughly chop or blend until smooth (as desired). Pour back into the pan over medium heat. In a small bowl or cup, whisk the cornstarch and water together, then while whisking, slowly add to the strawberry mixture until it’s thickened to your liking. 
  6. Slice the cheesecake into small squares or rectangles and serve with strawberry sauce (if desired). 

Notes

© Copyright 2020, Sumptuous Spoonfuls. All images & content are copyright protected. I love it when you share, but please do not use my images on your own site/page without prior permission. If you want to publish any of my images, please ask first. Sharing, pinning, and tweeting is always appreciated as long as the shares and pins link back to here for the recipe. If you want to republish this recipe as your own, please re-write the recipe in your own words or link back to this post for the recipe.

Keywords: Cheesecake, Lemon, Bars

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Find it online: https://www.sumptuousspoonfuls.com/lemon-cheesecake-bars-w-strawberry-sauce/