Quick Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars Recipe: Sweet Summer Delight
Sweet summer memories flood back whenever I whip up these delectable blueberry cream cheese bars that blend tangy richness with fruity brightness.
Fresh berries dance through creamy layers of smooth cheese filling.
Soft, buttery graham cracker crusts provide a delightful crunch beneath each decadent bite.
Clusters of ripe blueberries burst with natural sweetness against the velvety backdrop.
Simple ingredients come together in mere minutes, making this dessert a breeze for novice bakers.
Elegant enough for special occasions yet easy to assemble, these bars will become your new go-to treat.
You’ll impress everyone at the next gathering with this irresistible summer dessert.
Storage Recommendations for Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars
FAQs
Toss the blueberries in flour before adding them to the filling. This light coating helps the berries stay suspended in the cream cheese layer during baking.
Yes, you can use frozen blueberries. Just don’t thaw them first, and add them directly from the freezer to prevent color bleeding and maintain their shape.
Substitute with crushed digestive biscuits or vanilla wafer cookies. These alternatives provide a similar texture and flavor to the original crust.
What Makes Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars Special
Ingredients for Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars
For the Crust:For the Filling:For the Topping and Finishing:How to Bake Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars
Step 1: Craft The Buttery Crust
Warm up your oven to a cozy 350F. Grab your graham crackers and crush them into fine crumbs.
Melt some butter until it’s silky smooth. Mix the cracker crumbs with melted butter and a sprinkle of sugar.
Press this delightful mixture into a parchment-lined 9×9-inch baking pan. Pop it in the oven and bake for 8 minutes until lightly golden.
Let the crust cool down and rest.
Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Filling
Take your cream cheese and beat it until it’s velvety and free of lumps.
Add sugar and blend until perfectly smooth. Crack in an egg and splash of vanilla extract.
Mix everything until it’s beautifully combined. Gently spread this luscious mixture over the cooled crust, making sure it’s even and reaches all the corners.
Step 3: Scatter Blueberry Magic
In a separate bowl, toss fresh blueberries with a light dusting of flour and sugar. This helps prevent them from sinking and keeps them suspended in the creamy layer.
Sprinkle these jewel-like berries across the cream cheese surface.
Step 4: Bake And Chill
Slide the pan back into the 350F oven.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the filling sets and looks slightly firm. Remove and let it cool completely at room temperature.
Once cooled, transfer to the refrigerator and let it chill for at least an hour. This helps the bars firm up and makes cutting easier.
Step 5: Slice And Serve
Remove from the refrigerator and lift out using the parchment paper. Slice into neat squares.
Serve chilled and enjoy the creamy, fruity goodness of your homemade blueberry cream cheese bars.
Tips for Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars
Variations to Try with Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars
Serving Ideas for Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars
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Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 9 1x
Description
Delightful blueberry cream cheese bars showcase summer’s sweetest flavors with creamy richness. Buttery graham cracker crust and luscious blueberry filling create irresistible dessert magic you’ll savor to the last crumb.
Ingredients
- 1 cup blueberries (fresh)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a mixing bowl, stirring until the mixture resembles coarse, moist sand.
- Press the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan, creating a compact base layer.
- Bake the crust for 8 minutes until lightly golden, then remove and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whip cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture, blending until fully integrated and velvety.
- Gently spread the cream cheese filling over the cooled crust, creating an even, uniform layer.
- Toss fresh blueberries with flour and sugar in a small bowl, coating them lightly to prevent sinking during baking.
- Distribute the flour-coated blueberries evenly across the cream cheese surface, creating a vibrant, scattered topping.
- Return the pan to the 350F (175C) oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling sets and becomes slightly firm.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Once chilled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and slice into neat squares for serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for a smoother, lump-free filling that blends easily and creates a silky texture.
- Gently fold blueberries into the flour-sugar mixture to prevent crushing and maintain their whole, juicy appearance in the bars.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper overhanging on sides for effortless removal and clean cutting of bars without sticking.
- Chill bars thoroughly to help them set and develop a firmer, more sliceable consistency that holds its shape perfectly when served.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 174 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 64 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg
Jess Martinez
Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant
Expertise
Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health
Education
Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.
Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.