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Easy Patriotic Strawberry Cheesecake Flag Bars

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A quick and festive no-bake cheesecake bar recipe featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and fresh strawberries and blueberries arranged to resemble the American flag. Perfect for 4th of July or any summer celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (210g) graham cracker crumbs
  • ⅓ cup (75g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
  • ⅔ cup (135g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) sour cream
  • 1 cup (150g) fresh strawberries, sliced thin
  • ½ cup (75g) fresh blueberries
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon (15ml) strawberry jam, warmed

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Pour in melted butter and stir until all crumbs are evenly coated and look like wet sand.
  3. Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using the back of a spoon or flat-bottom glass. Set aside.
  4. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Let it cool slightly while preparing the filling.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
  6. Gradually add sugar and beat until well combined. Beat in vanilla extract.
  7. Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed to avoid incorporating too much air.
  8. Mix in sour cream until the batter is silky and smooth.
  9. Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust, spreading evenly with a spatula. Gently tap the pan to release air bubbles.
  10. Arrange sliced strawberries in neat horizontal rows on one half of the pan to mimic the red stripes of the flag.
  11. Create a small rectangle with blueberries on the opposite corner to represent the stars section.
  12. Optional: Brush the strawberries lightly with warmed strawberry jam for a glossy finish.
  13. Bake the bars for 35-40 minutes until the cheesecake is mostly set but slightly jiggly in the center.
  14. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  15. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts.
  16. Serve chilled and enjoy.

Notes

Bring cream cheese and eggs to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps. Mix gently after adding eggs to prevent cracks. Pre-bake the crust to avoid sogginess. Use parchment paper for easy removal and neat slicing. Chill bars overnight for best texture and flavor. If using frozen berries, thaw and drain well to avoid soggy bars.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry cheesecake bars, patriotic dessert, 4th of July dessert, cheesecake bars, easy cheesecake recipe, summer dessert, berry cheesecake bars

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/easy-patriotic-strawberry-cheesecake-flag-bars-recipe-for-perfect-4th-of-july-dessert/