Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

By Hklbrries

"I love cheesecake and wanted to take a recipe, simplify it, and make it my own. These bars are easy and delicious," she says.

Heather Stine, Catawissa, PA

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup seedless red raspberry jam

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9-inch-square baking pan.

Combine 1/2 cup sugar and butter in a large bowl; mix well. Stir in flour until crumbly. Press into pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Mixture will not be fully cooked.

Combine remaining 1/2 cup sugar, cream cheese, almond extract and egg. Beat using a mixer at high speed until well blended. Pour cream cheese mixture over crust.

Place 2 tbsp of the jam in a small bowl and microwave on high 15 seconds, until slightly melted. Stir to blend and spoon over cream cheese mixture. Using tip of a spoon, carefully swirl jam into cream cheese layer, being careful not to disturb the crust.

Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until set. Cool on a wire rack 30 minutes. Stir remaining jam and spread evenly with the back of a spoon over the bars in a thin layer. Refrigerate 30 minutes before cutting. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Information:
Per serving
180 calories
11 g fat
2 g protein
20 g carbohydrates
0 g fiber
85 mg sodium