Making good food at home without breaking your budget

Monday, April 11, 2016

Lemon Cheesecake Squares

If you've been following this blog, then you know that I love anything lemon flavored.  And nothing says Spring like lemon cheesecake.  It's so easy to make, and only cost a couple of dollars.  And it's a light finish to any meal.
You will need:
5 Tabs. + 1 teas unsalted butter, (room temperature)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, (room temperature)
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 Tab. milk
1 lemon
1/4 teas vanilla extract
baking spray
parchment paper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Line a 8 inch X 8 inch square baking pan with two rectangles of parchment papers, then lightly spray with baking spray.   This will help you lift the cheesecake out of the pan after you bake it.
In a bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar.
Add the flour and mix until just combined.
 Remove 1 cup of the mixture, and set aside to use as topping.
Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the baking pan, and  add a small lip around the edge about 1/8 - 1/4 inch.

Bake for 10 minutes, (just to set the bottom crust).
While the crust is baking, make the filling.

In a bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Add the egg, milk, and grate 2 Tabs of lemon rind.   It's the addition of the freshly grated lemon rind that really add the punch of lemon taste to this dessert.
 Add 1 Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and the vanilla extract into the mixture.  Combine until smooth.
By now the crust is done.  It takes about 10 minutes to make the filling, (just enough time to bake the bottom crust).
Pour the filling onto the bottom crust and spread it evenly over the crust.
Sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of crumble over the top of the filling.

Bake for about 25 minutes, until the filling is set.
Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack for about 20 minutes.
Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
After the cheesecake has completely cooled and set, lift the cheesecake from the pan, and cut into square.
Notice how the layers hold together nicely.
Now this is an inviting dessert, or mid day treat.
Yummy !

Give this light springtime treat a try.

Enjoy !

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