Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• For The Crust
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 12 graham crackers
• 3/4 stick unsalted butter, melted
• For The Raspberry Layer
• 1 1/2 cups raspberries plus 12 or so for garnish
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• For The Filling
• 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 2 lemons, zested and juiced
• 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325
• For the crust:
• Grease the bottom of a 9 by 9-inch baking pan with butter or cooking
• spray.
• Place a piece of parchment paper over the top, pressing down at the
• corners.
• In a food processor, process the sugar, cinnamon and graham crackers
• until you have the texture of bread crumbs.
• Add the melted butter and pulse a couple of times to fully
• incorporate.
• Pour into the lined baking pan and gently pat down with the base of a
• glass.
• Bake in the oven for 12 minutes until golden brown.
• Set aside to cool.
• For the raspberry layer:
• While the crust is baking prepare
• the raspberry layer.
• In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch.
• Add the raspberries and turn the burner onto low.
• Add the lemon juice and water and bring the mixture to a low
• boil.
• Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture
• reduces and thickens.
• Remove from the heat and allow to cool - the mixture will continue to
• thicken while cooling.
• Stir the raspberry mixture once it has cooled.
• Spread over the cooled crust.
• For the filling:
• In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice
• and sugar and mix until well combined (alternately use a stand mixer or
• food processor).
• It should have a smooth consistency.
• Pour onto the cooled raspberry covered crust.
• Bake in the oven for 35 minutes or
• until the center only slightly jiggles.
• Remove from the oven and cool
• completely before refrigerating for at least 3 hours.
• Once chilled, remove from pan using the
• parchment lining and slice into 12 rectangular bars