Coconut Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars Food

BLUEBERRY & COCONUT FROZEN 'CHEESECAKE' BARS

Steps:

• Soak the cashew nuts in boiling water for 10 mins, or overnight in cold water if you have time. Lightly oil a 20 x 20cm square cake tin.
• To make the base, whizz the almonds and dates in a food processor until very finely chopped. Tip into your prepared tin and press the mixture down, smoothing with the back of a spoon until evenly spread across the base. Put the tin in the freezer to firm up while you make the 'cheesecake' layer.
• Drain the cashew nuts and put half in the food processor. Add the ingredients for the 'cheesecake' layer and blitz until smooth and creamy. Remove the tin from the freezer and spread the creamy mixture on top of the base. Return to the freezer for 30-40 mins until firm.
• To make the topping, blend the 140g blueberries and the dates together with the remaining cashews in the food processor. Take the tin out of the freezer and spoon over the topping, then scatter over a handful of blueberries. Return to the freezer for at least 1 hr to firm up. Can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. Remove from the freezer 10 mins before serving, then slice into 10-12 bars and enjoy.

LEMON BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Place parchment paper in the bottom of 9X9 pan, extending up over sides and over top. Turn pan, and put in another sheet. This will help you get the cheesecake out perfectly.
• For the Base:.
• In a food processor, combine the graham crackers, sugar and cinnamon, process until you have very small crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse a couple of times to full incorporate the butter. Pour into the lined baking pan and gently pat down. Cook for 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• For the Filling:.
• To the food processsor bowl, add cream cheese, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice and sugar. Process for a few seconds until well combined. It should be smooth and kind of glossy. Pour into the cooled base, smooth gently into the corners and then sprinkle with the blueberries (I have used frozen berries with excellent results). Don't stir! Bake for 35 minutes or until the center only slightly jiggles. Chill for 3 hours, then grasp the parchament handles and lift the entire cheesecake out. Cut into 10 squares. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Combine butter and graham cracker crumbs and press firmly and evenly onto bottom of 9 X 13-inch baking pan.
• Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, eggs and vanila, beating until well blended. Set aside.
• Stir jam until softened and spread evenly over crust; sprinkle with blueberries. Top with cream cheese mixture.
• Bake 30 minutes or until slightly puffed. Cool completely in pan.
• Refrigerate leftover bars for up to 3 days.