Monday, December 30, 2013

Raspberry Cheesecake Bars


There are not a lot of pictures of these beautiful cheesecake bars.  Not because they aren't beautiful but I was probably crying a little too much to take great pictures.  It turns out that crying makes things look blury and apparently blury pictures aren't super cool.  No, nothing is wrong.  These are happy tears...honest, they are.  No really....I'm not just saying it so that it will become true.

My oldest son is a senior in high school and it is college application time.  Actually, he has already applied early for a few colleges and the rest are going through now.  Six applications in all and only one in California....the rest are on the other side of the country.  Do you know how far away that is??  I don't either but it looks like it's pretty far.

I was super excited when we started this process and super proud that he wanted to apply to all of these awesome schools.  I kept encouraging him and telling him how proud I am of him.  Well.....now those colleges are starting to send letters.  He has already been accepted to two of them.  The first was Drexel University....um yep....the one in Pennsylvania (don't worry, I had to Google it too).....we live in California....that's kind of a long commute.  So anyways.....for all of you parents out there....don't be fooled by those darn college applications.  Yes, they seem all cool and fun and exciting...new adventures, growing up, becoming an independent adult, blah, blah, blah!  But really, they are a devious plan to move your kids halfway across the country and far away from you.

To help cheer myself up, I made these delish Raspberry Cheesecake Bars.  They are very pretty and would be the perfect dessert for a New Years Eve party, they are also super good for drowning your parental sorrows! (Eat two and follow with a glass of red wine)

Use any fruit filling or jam that you like....I am partial to raspberry!


p.s. I really am happy for my son.  He is ready to start off on a new adventure and I couldn't be more proud. Also, teenagers are known to have the occasional attitude that makes you think "huh, halfway across the country might not be so bad".


Raspberry Cheesecake Bars adapted from Kraft Recipes

1 cup  graham crack crumbs
3 Tbsp.  sugar
3 Tbsp.  butter, melted
5 pkg.  (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup  sugar
3 Tbsp.  flour
1 Tbsp.  vanilla
1 cup  Sour Cream
4  eggs
1/3 cup  raspberry jam (can use any jam, fruit filling, lemon curd, etc.)

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Line a 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Mix graham crumbs, 3 Tbsp. sugar and butter; press onto bottom of pan. Bake 10 min.

In an electric mixer beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour and vanilla with mixer until well blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust. Gently drop small spoonfuls of jam over batter; swirl with knife. (I like to pipe the jam onto the batter in parallel lines and then cut through with knife....play around with it to create different patterns)

Bake 40 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours. Use foil handles to lift cheesecake from pan before cutting to serve.

Store in refrigerator.

Recipe Shared On:
21st Century Housewife - Hearth and Soul Hop
My Turn For Us - Freedom Fridays
Keep Calm and Cook On - January
Strut Your Stuff Saturday Link Party
What'd You Do This Weekend
Treasure Box Tuesday
Foodie Friends Friday

17 comments:

  1. Awww I know how tough that is from the other side too: I am way up in NJ while my parents are in FL and it was tougher than I thought! But we talk every day so it isn't so bad. <3 If I had these bars it would be even easier! I'd just eat one (or 3!) every time I started to feel gloomy. :)

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    1. Thanks Jess...I worry I would eat the whole pan of bars just missing him! Why do kids have to grow up? ;)

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  2. I do know what you mean - it's so hard when our kids are far away. I'm so grateful to have my son back in the UK from Canada. Thinking of you!

    Your Raspberry Cheesecake Bars are beautiful, Becky. I'm pinning them to try and I'll share them on my Facebook page too :-)

    Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you so much April! Happy new year to you as well!

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  3. Delicious I am highlighting this recipe on this weeks Hearth and Soul blog hop.

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    1. Wow! Thank you so much Swathi! I am thrilled to have my recipe highlighted! :)

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  4. Oh my Goodness!!! These bars are totally awesome!! But I do feel for you, I sent three kids off the college, broke my heart each and every time but its a mixed bag, so proud of them but just missing those times they were all home. Not to worry, just enjoy these last few months of his senior year and thank goodness you raised him to have these goals!! Hugs

    PS I so totally pinned these bars!!

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    1. Thanks Evelyn! I am enjoying these boys as much as I can. It is nice to hear that others have gone through this and survived. I'm sure it will take a whole lot of cake and red wine, but I'll get through it! :)

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    2. Yeah Cake and wine with lotsa of chocolate, that worked for me! :)))

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  5. Awww! It's bittersweet as a mom, that's for sure! Thanks so much for linking up to Freedom Fridays! Also, I wanted to let you know that your being featured at this week's party - it goes live at 8:30 pm EST! Hope to see you there! {hugs}

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    1. Thanks so much Jamie!!! I will be there for sure! <3

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  6. Oh Yes, totally one of our faves this week at Freedom Fridays With All My Bloggy Friends!! Thanks for making me drool each and everytime I see these babies!!

    Hugs

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  7. Such is life, you must feel satisfied of your self and proud of your sons. Keep on working, be happy!! Have a nice and successful 2014.

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  8. I love cheesecake but usually go with cherry. I can't wait to try raspberry!

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    1. I bet these would be great with cherry too....I love that you can change it out for any fruit filling!

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  9. Sorry Becky, I never got over here to let you know that these were my Host Favorite from last week's Foodie Friends Friday party. I love them.. cheesecake and raspberry in a bar.. Perfect. Thanks for sharing and I hope that you join us this week for our Valentine's Party.

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  10. Thanks so much!!! I will definitely join up for the party! :)

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