These Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bars have a tender, buttery streusel crust and topping with a creamy lemon cheesecake filling studded with juicy blueberries. These dessert bars are incredibly easy to make and always a crowd pleaser.
Perfectly rich, sweet and tart these irresistible Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bars are really easy to make and a great dessert recipe for any occasion. From summer gatherings to holiday parties, these fruity and creamy cheesecake bars are always loved by everyone!
Welcome to Freaky Friday Spring Edition!
Freaky Friday is a secret blog hop created by my friend Michaela from An Affair From The Heart. For Freaky Friday, each participant is randomly assigned to another blogger in the group – then we pick a recipe from their blog, make it and post it on a selected Friday – all at the same time! It is fun to see which talented blogger you get and finding out who had your blog, and which recipe they chose is always so exciting!
Now let me tell you a little secret! Ever since I started participating in Freaky Friday, I’ve been dreaming about the day I get assigned the amazing woman that started it all. This time I finally did! Imagine my surprise when I received my assignment and it was Michaela from An Affair From The Heart!!!
Michaela has so many recipes to choose from and each one is more delicious than the next. From main dishes to desserts, her website is filled with great recipes that will make your every meal memorable.
I had the chance to meet Michaela personally and I can say that she is not only fabulous but also one of the kindest people I’ve met. She’s the friend who always sends cards during the holidays, always remembers to mail thank you notes and the first one to come to your rescue when you need a helping hand. Michaela is incredibly artistic and the ultimate organizer. Do you need to throw a party, plan a meeting or get everyone to bake cookies for the holidays? She’s the right woman to get the job done!
For Michaela, sharing meals with family around the dinner table is what it is all about! I love so many of her recipes like Beef Tips & Gravy and who can resist a Pineapple Coconut Tunnel Cake! Not me!
It was hard to pick just one recipe to make, but I finally decided on these dessert bars. To me, lemon (my favorite ingredient) and blueberries are a great representation of spring and a recipe shortcut is always welcome! Both the delicious buttery crust and streusel topping are made from the same cake mix which makes this a super quick and easy recipe to make.
Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bars’ Ingredients
- Yellow Cake Mix
- Eggs
- Cream Cheese
- Lemon Juice and Zest
- Butter
- Granulated Sugar
- Blueberries
- For the Glaze, powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice.
How To Make Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bars
For detailed instructions, take a look at the recipe card below.
- Get Ready: Preheat the oven and line a baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang, so you can pull the cheesecake out of the dish when it’s done.
- Make the Crust and Streusel: Melt the butter, then combine the cake mix, 1 egg and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Press about 2/3 of this mixture into the bottom of the baking pan to create the bottom crust.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: Beat the softened cream cheese and the sugar together. Add the remaining egg, lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Beat until well combined and smooth. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust. Top with the blueberries
- Add Topping and Bake: Pinch small pieces of the remaining cake mixture and distribute them evenly over the blueberries. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set.
- Make the Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until you reach a pourable consistency. Drizzle over the cheesecake bar. Cool and serve.
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bar Recipe Tips
- Chill the bars in the refrigerator before removing them from the baking pan and slicing them.
- Bars stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. You can freeze the bars for about 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Use full fat cream cheese for best results.
- Lemons: 1 medium-size lemon yields approximately 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and 2 to 3 tablespoons of lemon juice (depending on size).
Don’t forget to take a look at all of our 2021 Freaky Friday Spring Edition Recipes below the recipe card!
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Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Crumb Bars
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake Bars
- 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick)
- 1 package of yellow cake mix
- 2 eggs divided
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice divided
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 2 (8- ounces) packages of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 pints fresh blueberries
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang, so you can pull the cheesecake out of the dish when it's done.
Make the Cheesecake Bars
- Melt the butter in the microwave. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 egg and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Beat with a hand held mixer until well blended.
- Press about 2/3 of this mixture into the bottom of the baking pan to create the bottom crust.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and the sugar together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Add the remaining egg, lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Beat until well combined.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust. Top with the blueberries.
- Pinch small pieces of the remaining cake mixture and distribute them evenly over the blueberries.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set.
Make the Glaze
- Whisk together the ingredients for the glaze. You want to reach a pourable consistency. Add additional powdered sugar or lemon juice as needed.
- Remove from the oven and drizzle the glaze over the cheesecake while it is still warm.
- Cool completely and refrigerate for about 30 to 45 minutes so the bars set and are easier to cut.
- Remove from the fridge and lift the baked cheesecake using the excess parchment paper as handles. Cut into bars and serve.
Chef’s Tips
- Lemons: 1 medium-size lemon yields approximately 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and 2 to 3 tablespoons of lemon juice (depending on size).
- Chill the bars in the refrigerator before removing them from the baking pan and slicing them.
- Bars stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. You can freeze the bars for about 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Use full fat cream cheese for best results.
Nutrition
Take a look at all of our 2021 Freaky Friday Spring Edition Recipes:
- A Dish of Daily Life – Smoky Chicken Street Tacos
- An Affair from the Heart – Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas with Cilantro Lime Butter
- An Affair from the Heart – Blueberry Mojitos
- Aunt Bee’s Recipes – Easy Chile Relleno Casserole
- The Carefree Kitchen – Glazed Lemon Cookies
- The Culinary Compass – Easy Candied Pecan Recipe
- Devour Dinner – Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf
- The Foodie Affair – Keto Broccoli Salad
- The Fresh Cooky – Bowtie Pasta Recipe
- Hostess at Heart – No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
- House of Nash Eats – Roast Beef Sliders
- Lemoine Family Kitchen – Lemon Blueberry Bread
- Life, Love & Good Food – Sandwich Cubano
- Off the Eaten Path – Grilled Vegan Guacamole
- Or Whatever You Do – Blackstone Mexican Style Street Corn
- The Speckled Palate – Lemon Bars
- Take Two Tapas – Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels
Nanci Coulter says
It was okay. Way too sweet for me though. I’d put less sugar in with the cream cheese mixture.
Fernando says
Forgot to give them 5 stars!
Fernando says
I made these once before and everyone loved them! So much that they’ve been requested again. No one wants to wait until Spring, they want them now! 😄
So I made them again and they are just the best! And easy enough for even me to make them too!
Nicole Johnson says
These bars look incredible, and perfect for spring! I can’t wait to try them!
Brandi Burgess says
Lemon desserts are my favorite and these lemon blueberry crumb bars may be the best!!!!!
Michelle says
These were soooo good! Definitely making them again!
Michaela Kenkel says
Thank you for ALL of the kind words. I am so grateful for your friendship! These bars turned out just fantastic!! I am so happy that you enjoyed them as much as we do! xo
Kathy says
Love you my friend!