Ingredients
Scale
- Cooking spray (for greasing)
- 2 (8-oz) bars cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 2 (8-oz) tubes crescent dough
- 2 cups blueberries
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the bars bake evenly and perfectly. Next, lightly spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. - Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The addition of sour cream adds a lovely richness and tanginess that pairs perfectly with the lemon flavor. - Prepare the Crescent Dough Base
Unroll one sheet of crescent dough and press it into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Make sure the dough stretches all the way to the edges of the dish. If the dough has perforations, be sure to pinch them closed to create one continuous layer. This dough forms the buttery, flaky base and top of the bars, so it’s essential for creating the perfect texture. - Assemble the Cheesecake Bars
Spread the creamy cheesecake mixture evenly over the crescent dough base. Once the filling is spread out, sprinkle the blueberries on top in an even layer. The burst of fresh blueberries adds a delightful sweetness and juiciness to each bite. Then, unroll the second sheet of crescent dough and gently place it over the blueberries, pressing the edges to seal. - Bake the Bars
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden and fully cooked through. The top should be slightly puffed and golden brown, while the cheesecake filling underneath remains smooth and set. - Cool and Serve
After baking, allow the bars to cool to room temperature in the pan. Once cool, slice them into 12 squares. Before serving, dust each square with powdered sugar for a sweet, decorative finish. The powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance and sweetness to the already delicious bars.
Notes
- Cream Cheese: If you’re looking for a lighter version, you can substitute regular cream cheese with reduced-fat cream cheese or even Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
- Crescent Dough: If you prefer a homemade crust, you can substitute crescent dough with a graham cracker crust or shortbread crust for a different texture. You could also use puff pastry for a lighter, crispier base.
- Blueberries: Fresh blueberries work best, but frozen blueberries can be used if fresh ones are not available. Just be sure to thaw and drain the frozen berries to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
- Lemon Flavor: If you want to enhance the lemon flavor, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest or replace the lemon juice with lemon extract for a more intense citrus kick.
- Additional Toppings: To elevate the bars, consider adding a drizzle of lemon glaze or a dollop of whipped cream when serving. For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes