NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE BARS

These the big apple-style Cheesecake Bars are thick, creamy, and so clean! perfect for almost any event!

With the month of July at the back of us, i can’t assist but think one issue: Fall is right across the corner! It’s tough to trust thinking about it’s presently eight am and already 89 levels. but it’s true! And between me and also you… I’ve already started out baking with apples. And candy potatoes! And sure: pumpkin. I truely sold 16 jumbo cans of pumpkin puree from Costco final week and the cashier honestly gave me the aspect eye.

But don’t worry, I’m now not achieved with summer just but. i've some extra fruity recipes for you before we keep palms and head into the fall baking frenzy together. I also have some contemporary season neutral recipes for you, starting with nowadays’s recipe for ny-fashion Cheesecake Bars. Which can be topped with a clean fruit topping for summer season parties… or crowned with gooey pecans or roasted apples for a Fall effect.

But between us bakers… my preferred manner to serve – and consume – those little cheesecake bars is… naked. No fruit, no syrups, no caramels… not even a dollop of whipped cream!

INGREDIENTS:

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 ounces unsalted butter, melted

For the New York-Style Cheesecake Bars:

3 (8 ounce) packages full-fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs + 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

Preheat oven to 350 levels (F). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, allowing two of the sides to overlap (you want an overhang of at the least 2-inches on sides) and spray lightly with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.
In a big bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter and, the usage of a rubber spatula, mix well to combine. Press the mixture into the bottom - and slightly up the edges - of the prepared pan.
Bake the crust in preheated oven for 10 mins. cast off the crust from the oven and set aside on a cooling rack until needed.
lessen the oven temperature to 325 stages (F).

For the new york-style Cheesecake Bars:

in the body of a excessive electricity blender, meals processor, stand mixer outfitted with the whisk attachment, or in a big bowl using a handheld electric powered mixer, beat the cream cheese and sour cream till completely easy.
upload sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides and backside of bowl as needed. add in the eggs and yolks and beat till blended.
upload inside the lemon juice and lemon zest and beat till blended. Stir within the flour, mixing just till mixed.
the usage of a rubber spatula, fold within the cream, mixing simply until it's included within the batter.
Pour filling on pinnacle of organized crust, and spread evenly.
check to make certain your oven has cooled to 325°F, then region the pan in the oven and bake for 38 to forty mins, or till the edges have set and the center continues to be a touch jiggly. The cheesecake will company up a lot as they cool.
dispose of the bars from the oven, and cool at room temperature for one hour. Then refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or in a single day.
whilst you're prepared to serve: use the foil overhang to raise the cheesecake bars from the pan and transfer them to a reducing board. using a big, sharp knife, slice the slab into squares, wiping the knife easy with a moist cloth between slices. Serve immediately.