LUSCIOUS LEMON BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE SQUARES

Luscious Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Squares image

Provided by Cindy Smith Bryson @cindyluhooskitchen

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cup(s) vanilla wafers crumbs
4 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter, melted
1 pinch(es) ground cinnamon
USE ABOVE INGREDIENTS FOR CRUST
16 ounce(s) cream cheese, room temperature
10 ounce(s) jar blueberry preserves
1 cup(s) fresh blueberries
2/3 cup(s) sugar
2 large eggs
1 large lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
USE ABOVE INGREDIENTS FOR FILLING

Steps:

FOR CRUST: Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish (so parchment will not stick to dish) and line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on both sides.
Place vanilla wafers in a large bowl and mix in melted butter and cinnamon until mixture is consistency of damp sand.
Press mixture evenly into bottom of parchment in baking dish to form the crust. Refrigerate until needed.
FOR FILLING: In a large mixer bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth, then mix in eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla until fully incorporated.
Spread mixture over chilled crust with offset spatula to smooth out the top.
Sprinkle fresh blueberries evenly over filling, then spread blueberry preserves on top.
Place baking dish in oven and bake for 27-30 minutes, or until center is just set but still jiggles.
Remove from oven and let cool completely prior to refrigerating at least 4 hours or overnight.
Use parchment paper overhang to remove cheesecake from baking dish. Cut into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy that luscious, light and lemony blueberry tart sweet goodness!