Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Set out a 9×9-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper so the bars lift out cleanly.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Stir just until the mixture looks like even, sandy crumbs.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Use the back of a measuring cup to compact it into an even layer.
- Bake the crust for 12 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges while the center stays set.
Make the cream cheese layer
- Beat cream cheese until smooth. Stop and scrape the bowl so there are no lumps.
- Add sugar, egg, and vanilla. Mix until creamy and fully combined.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the warm crust. Smooth the top so it reaches the edges.
Add blueberries and bake
- Toss blueberries with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Stir until the berries look glossy and the cornstarch is evenly distributed.
- Scatter blueberries evenly over the cream cheese layer. Arrange them so there are berries in every corner.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until the filling is set. The center should look firm with only a slight wobble.
- Cool completely. Let the bars reach room temperature before chilling for the best slice.
Chill and serve
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chill until fully firm to ensure tidy bar slices.
- Slice into bars and dust with powdered sugar if desired. Use a sharp knife and wipe it between cuts for clean edges.
Notes
Pro tip: Chill longer if your oven runs hot—firmer bars slice more cleanly. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freezing is not recommended due to the texture change in the cream cheese. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese (texture will be slightly softer after baking).
