8ounces(225g) cream cheesesoftened to room temperature
1cup(200g) granulated sugar
zest of one lemon
2large eggs
5ounces(150g) yogurt or sour cream1
2teaspoonsfresh lemon juice
¼teaspoonsalt
½cup(60g) all-purpose flour
3cups(300g) blueberriesfresh or frozen; if using frozen, do not thaw
Instructions
Position a rack in the center position of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC).
Line an 8″ x 8″ (or 9" x 9") baking pan with foil. Leave an overhang on the sides. Set aside.
SHORTBREAD CRUST
Stir the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and the lemon zest together in a medium bowl. Add the flour and stir until combined.
Reserve ¾ cup2 of the shortbread crust and place in the refrigerator or freezer until needed.
Press remaining crust evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 18 minutes while you prepare the filling.
FILLING
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a medium sized bowl with a hand mixer, beat cream cheese on high until smooth. Add the sugar and lemon zest and beat until smooth. Add the eggs, and continue beating until completely incorporated. Add the yogurt, lemon juice, and salt and beat again. Finally, add the flour and beat one more time until just combined. Scrape down the sides as necessary before adding the blueberries, then gently fold in the blueberries with a large spatula.
Pour filling into prepared crust and add a few blueberries on top of filling. Remove reserved crust from refrigerator and crumble over top of the filling (you may need to separate into crumbs with a knife or fork). Sprinkle with additional sugar or course sugar, if desired.
Bake bars for 55-60 minutes minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool at room temperature on a wire rack. When completely cool, chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
When bars are completely chilled, lift out of the pan using foil overhang and cut into squares. Top with lemon zest before serving, if desired. Bars can be stored covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Bars freeze well, up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Video
Notes
Yogurt or sour cream: you can use any kind of yogurt you like. I have used lemon, plain, and vanilla. I have no preference. Sour cream works great as well.
Reserved crust: be sure to reserve a measured ¾ cup and not ¾ of the whole crust.
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.