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Perfect Red White and Blue Layered Cheesecake Bars

red white and blue layered cheesecake bars - featured image
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These easy patriotic cheesecake bars feature vibrant red, white, and blue layers made with real berry purees and a creamy cheesecake filling, perfect for celebrations like Fourth of July and Memorial Day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full sheets, finely crushed)
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup cottage cheese, blended smooth
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, pureed and strained
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for red layer)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for red layer)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, pureed and strained
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for blue layer)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for blue layer)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
  2. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Stir until evenly coated. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool.
  3. Prepare cheesecake base: Beat cream cheese and blended cottage cheese until smooth. Gradually add sugar, then eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla extract and sour cream until just combined.
  4. Divide cheesecake batter evenly into three bowls.
  5. Prepare berry layers: Mix strawberry puree with lemon juice and sugar if using; mix blueberry puree with lemon juice and sugar if using.
  6. Fold strawberry puree into one portion of batter, blueberry puree into another, leaving one plain for the white layer.
  7. Layer the batter in the pan: pour blueberry layer first, spread evenly; then pour plain layer carefully over it; finally add strawberry layer on top and smooth gently.
  8. Bake for 40-45 minutes until edges are set but center jiggles slightly.
  9. Cool at room temperature for about 1 hour, then refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
  10. Use parchment overhang to lift bars from pan. Slice into squares with a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese for smooth batter. Blend cottage cheese fully for silky texture. Avoid overmixing eggs to prevent cracks. Strain berry purees to remove seeds. Chill batter briefly before layering to prevent color bleeding. Let bars chill overnight for best flavor and texture. For gluten-free crust, substitute graham crackers with almond flour or gluten-free crumbs. For dairy-free, use vegan cream cheese and coconut yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesecake bars, patriotic dessert, red white and blue dessert, Fourth of July dessert, easy cheesecake bars, berry cheesecake

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/perfect-red-white-and-blue-layered-cheesecake-bars-easy-patriotic-dessert-recipe-for-celebrations/