Strawberry Lemonade Cheesecake Bars
(from calibali0’s recipe box)
From Lisa Zaytoun of Raleigh
Source: N&O May 11,2011
Categories: Dessert, not tried
Ingredients
- 2 cups plus 6 tbsp flour, divided
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- pinch of salt
- 2 sticks butter
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 6 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 1/2 cups strawberries, hulled and divided
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- a little sprinkle of cinnamon
- 1 package gelatin powder
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 8 oz packages cream cheese
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 1/2 cup homemade or local strawberry jam
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 × 13 inch pan. Combine 2 cups flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Use a pastry cutter to cut butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form. Knead until it forms balls. Press evenly into bottom of the pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
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Whisk together eggs, 2 cups granulated sugar, 6 tbsp flour, lemon juice and zest in a medium bowl. Pour over baked crust and bake for 25 more minutes. Set aside. Allow to cool.
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Mash 2 cups of strawberries. Place in a medium saucepan. In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of sugar, cinnamon and gelatin powder. Cook berries over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil, then add sugar mixture, stir to dissolve. Cook, stirring vigorously for a few more minutes, then transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.
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Beat vanilla and cream cheese in a medium bowl until soft. Slowly add cream, continue to beat. Add strawberry puree very slowly and remaining 1/2 cup sugar until mixed well. Spread over top of lemon bars. Allow to chill overnight or at least 4 hours ahead.
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Slice remaining 1/2 cup strawberries. Toss with strawberry jam. Cut bars into squares. Top with several slices of strawberries and serve.