STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE BARS

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted

Cheesecake:

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Strawberry Filling:

• 3 cups chopped strawberries
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ tablespoons cornstarch

Oatmeal Crumble:

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and finely diced

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Set it aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar. Create a small well in the mixture and pour in the melted butter. Mix until evenly combined.
3. Transfer the crust mixture to the prepared baking pan and gently press it evenly into the bottom. Bake for 8 minutes.
4. While the crust is baking, beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
5. In a saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes until the strawberries are bursting and juice has formed.
6. In a separate bowl, combine the light brown sugar and cornstarch. Stir this mixture into the strawberry mixture and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens and resembles pie filling. Remove from heat.
7. Make the oatmeal crumble by combining all of the crumble ingredients in a large bowl. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix the ingredients together, squishing the cubes of butter and creating a coarse crumble.
8. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust and spread it out evenly. Top the cheesecake mixture with the strawberry sauce. Then, add the oatmeal crumble on top.
9. Bake the cheesecake bars for 50 to 70 minutes, until the top of the crumble is golden brown.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 to 60 minutes. Then, transfer it to the refrigerator to cool for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, before slicing into squares.

Enjoy your delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Bars