Raspberry Cheesecake Bars (Print Version)

Ingredients:

01 - 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs.
02 - ¼ cup granulated sugar.
03 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted.
04 - 16 oz cream cheese, softened.
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar.
06 - 2 large eggs.
07 - 1 tsp vanilla extract.
08 - 1 cup fresh raspberries (or raspberry puree).

Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and grease a 9x9-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
02 - In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
04 - Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust.
05 - Drop spoonfuls of fresh raspberries or raspberry puree onto the cheesecake layer. Using a toothpick or knife, gently swirl the raspberries into the cheesecake mixture to create a marbled effect.
06 - Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is still slightly jiggly.
07 - Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours.
08 - Once chilled, slice into bars and enjoy.

Notes:

01 - Chilling the cheesecake bars for at least 4 hours ensures they set properly for clean slicing.
02 - Fresh raspberries or raspberry puree can be used depending on your preference.