Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Bars (Printable)
Tangy lemon and raspberry swirl crowns a creamy base on a buttery graham crust, blending bright and rich flavors.
# What You'll Need:
→ Crust
01 - 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Cheesecake Layer
04 - 16 oz cream cheese, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/4 cup sour cream
08 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
09 - Zest of 1 lemon
10 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
→ Topping
12 - 1 cup fresh raspberries
13 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
14 - 2 tsp cornstarch
15 - 2 tbsp water
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a medium bowl. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes, then allow to cool slightly.
03 - In a small saucepan, combine raspberries, sugar, cornstarch, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring and mashing berries until thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds and set aside to cool.
04 - Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Incorporate sour cream, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
06 - Drop spoonfuls of raspberry sauce over the cheesecake layer. Gently swirl with a toothpick or knife to create a marbled effect.
07 - Bake for 30 to 32 minutes, until the center is just set and slightly jiggly. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing.
08 - Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang and cut into 16 squares.
# Cooking Tips:
01 -
- It's that perfect balance of tangy and sweet that feels like sharing a special treat with a friend
- The creamy texture combined with the fresh fruit topping makes it a standout favorite anytime
02 -
- Don't skip chilling—this step firms up the bars perfectly for clean slicing
- Swirling the raspberry sauce just right makes the difference between pretty and spectacular
03 -
- Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps in your cheesecake filling
- The key to the perfect swirl is to gently drag a toothpick in soft loops rather than vigorous mixing