Ingredients:

Crust

• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs, about 8 whole crackers
• 4 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 5 tablespoons melted butter

Fruit layer

• 6 strawberries, cut  into thin slices

Batter

• 16 ounces (2 large packages) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream or sour cream
• 3 large eggs
• 2 to 3 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. To make the crust: Stir together the crumbs, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and melted butter.
3. Press into the bottom and about 1/2″ inch up the sides of an 8″ x 8″ square pan.
4. Bake the crust for 8 to 10 minutes, until set; the color won’t change much.
5. Remove the crust from the oven and cool for a few minutes while you lower the oven temperature to 325°F.
6. Cover crust with thinly sliced strawberries.
7. To make the batter: Mix the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth.
8. Add the cream, eggs, and vanilla; mix until combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as you mix.
9. Spoon the batter into the crust.
10. Bake the bars for 30 to 40 minutes, until the filling is set but still soft in the center. An instant-read thermometer, inserted into the filling about 1″ in from the edge, will read about 180°F.
11. Remove the bars from the oven, and cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Yields 16 servings

Allergen information:

• This recipe is gluten free if made with gluten free graham crackers.
• This recipe is nut free.
• This recipe is vegetarian.

Nutrition Information:

Photographs: