Description
Mediterranean-inspired lemon fig cheesecake bars blend creamy richness with tangy sweetness, creating a dessert that highlights seasonal Mediterranean ingredients. Silky layers and crumbly crust invite palates to explore complex flavor profiles born from classic culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup (240 g) fig preserves
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (70 g) rolled oats
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tbsp (3 g) lemon zest
- 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp (4 g) pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and coat an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray. Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then incorporate flour, rolled oats, and salt, mixing until just combined.
- Initial Baking: Press crust mixture evenly into the prepared dish and bake for 15-20 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Immediately spread fig preserves across the hot crust in a uniform layer.
- Filling Creation: In a large bowl, blend cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Incorporate eggs thoroughly, then gently fold in vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until the mixture becomes completely uniform.
- Final Baking and Cooling: Pour filling over fig-covered crust, ensuring even distribution. Bake for 20-23 minutes until filling sets and feels slightly firm. Cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least one hour before slicing into individual bars.
- Serving: Serve chilled and store remaining bars in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Crust Consistency Check: Ensure the crust mixture is crumbly but holds together when pressed, which indicates the right butter-to-dry ingredient ratio.
- Fig Preserve Technique: Spread fig preserves while the crust is hot to help it adhere better and create a seamless flavor integration.
- Cream Cheese Mixing Tip: Blend cream cheese at low speed to prevent air bubbles and maintain a smooth, dense cheesecake texture.
- Chilling Importance: Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow bars to set properly, enhancing flavor melding and making cutting easier.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 43 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg