Merry Berry Cheese Bars
Celebrate the flavors of the season with these stunning Merry Berry Cheese Bars—a dessert that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat. Featuring a buttery, golden crust topped with a creamy, tangy cheesecake layer and an explosion of mixed fresh berries, these bars are the perfect blend of sweetness and tartness. Each bite delivers a symphony of textures: the crunchy base, smooth cream cheese filling, and juicy berries with just a hint of lemon. Easy to prepare with only 20 minutes of hands-on time, these versatile treats are perfect for gatherings, holidays, or casual indulgence. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch, Merry Berry Cheese Bars are sure to be your go-to dessert when you need something vibrant, elegant, and irresistibly delicious. Keywords: creamy cheesecake bars, mixed berry dessert, buttery crust, festive holiday recipe, powdered sugar garnish.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cups mixed fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and 0.5 cup granulated sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 0.75 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract and lemon juice until incorporated.
Pour the cream cheese filling over the pre-baked crust and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
Scatter the mixed fresh berries evenly over the top of the filling, gently pressing them into the mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle.
Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool to room temperature. Then, chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.
Once chilled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and slice into 12 even squares.
Dust with powdered sugar just before serving and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4958 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 316.3 g | 406% | |
| Saturated Fat | 190.0 g | 950% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1262 mg | 421% | |
| Sodium | 1646 mg | 72% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 490.1 g | 178% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25.3 g | 90% | |
| Total Sugars | 317.0 g | ||
| Protein | 66.4 g | 133% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 677 mg | 52% | |
| Iron | 14.0 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 1469 mg | 31% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
