Lemonade Cheesecake Squares
Lemonade Cheesecake Squares
The combination of lemon and cheesecake is a classic combo. I have made lemon cheesecakes in the past and enjoyed them a lot.
I wanted to change things up, and decided to jazz up the flavor with lemonade both in the filling, and as a glaze on top of the cheesecake.
The end result is just what I had hoped for. Creamy, not too sweet, and a pop of lemon flavor from the glaze.
I also wanted texture to the crust, so I added some oats, in addition to the graham crackers, and baked this cheesecake in a 9×13-inch pan. You could serve it with a few berries on top, if you like. This is a great spring or summer dessert.
Here is the recipe.
Lemonade Cheesecake Squares
Crust:
¾ c. butter (1½ sticks)
1 ¼ c. graham cracker crumbs
1 c. oatmeal, old-fashioned or quick cooking
¼ t. salt
Filling:
2 (8oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
¾ c. frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed*
3 T. flour
2 eggs
2 t. grated lemon peel
Glaze:
¾ c. frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed*
2½ T. cornstarch
Heat oven to 350-degrees. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Beat together butter with the rest of crust ingredients. Press into bottom of prepared pan and bake 20 minutes. Beat cream cheese, lemonade and flour until fluffy. Stir in eggs and peel. Pour over crust and bake for 25 minutes, or until set. Cool then add the glaze. To make the glaze: in small saucepan combine the lemonade with the cornstarch. Heat together over medium heat until mixture becomes thickened and bubbly, stirring constantly. Pour over cheesecake. Store covered in fridge. Makes 24 squares.
*You can use store bought frozen lemonade concentrate, or here is the recipe I use to make my own.
Homemade Lemonade Concentrate
1 1/3 c. lemon juice- fresh or bottled
1 c. sugar
lemon zest, optional
Combine ingredients and stir until sugar is dissolved. Freeze until ready to use. Makes a little over 1 1/2 cups. To use: combine three parts water to one part concentrate.
