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Perfect Berry Flag Cheesecake Bars Easy Homemade Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

berry flag cheesecake bars - featured image
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These cheesecake bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake layer, smooth cream cheese frosting, and a festive berry flag topping. Perfect for celebrations and easy to make in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheets, finely crushed)
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tbsp milk (optional)
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • Optional: fresh raspberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until crumbs are evenly coated and feel like wet sand. Press firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden. Remove and let cool slightly.
  2. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add egg and vanilla extract, beat until incorporated. Fold in sour cream gently. Pour filling over warm crust and smooth the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are set but center jiggles slightly.
  3. Let cheesecake bars cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to firm up.
  4. In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese with softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beat until smooth and spreadable. Add milk 1 teaspoon at a time if frosting is too thick.
  5. Spread cream cheese frosting evenly over chilled cheesecake bars. Arrange sliced strawberries in three horizontal rows on one side, create a block of blueberries in the top left corner, and finish with a bottom row of strawberries to mimic a flag.
  6. Chill assembled bars in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set frosting and keep berries fresh.
  7. Use a sharp knife dipped in warm water and wiped dry between cuts to slice into 12-16 bars depending on size. Serve chilled.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese at room temperature to avoid lumps. Do not overmix after adding the egg to prevent cracks. Bake in the center of the oven and rotate pan halfway for even browning. Chill thoroughly before frosting and slicing for clean cuts. Frozen berries can be used if thawed and drained well. For gluten-free crust, substitute graham crackers with almond flour or gluten-free crumbs. For dairy-free, use vegan cream cheese and butter substitutes and a flax egg.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesecake bars, berry flag dessert, cream cheese frosting, easy cheesecake, patriotic dessert, summer dessert, berry cheesecake bars

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/perfect-berry-flag-cheesecake-bars-easy-homemade-recipe-with-cream-cheese-frosting/