Delightful Kiwi Berry Cheesecake Bars made with a simple shortbread crust topped with a creamy cheesecake, fresh berries and kiwi fruit!
These dessert bars are Spring in a pan! I love how bright and colorful they are and the variety of fruits on top compliments the tangy cheesecake perfectly. They’re perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day or any reason you feel like having a fruit cheesecake bar!
Highlights of our Cheesecake Bar Recipe
- Hello, flavor!! Berries are fantastic this time of year, so the berries you top the cheesecake with really steal the show. Aim for ripe fresh berries, so be sure to taste them first.
- Easy to make: I love a recipe that comes together quickly that has clear, simple steps. This is one of those! You do have to bake the shortbread crust, so keep that in mind. The rest of the recipe is no-bake and just needs to chill for an hour.
- Speaking of flavor, don’t skip the Kiwi! My whole family loves kiwi fruit. It’s got such a lovely flavor, plus it adds a pop of green color to these bars.
Kiwi Berry Cheesecake Bar Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
Flour: You need 2 cups of all-purpose flour for the base of this crust.
Powder sugar: Sweeten the dough with some powdered sugar.
Butter: Cut in cold butter to bind the ingredients together.
Citrus Glaze
Sugar: For a sweet glaze, you need 6 TBSP of sugar.
Cornstarch: Add cornstarch to help thicken the glaze.
Lemon juice: Using ¼ cup of lemon juice adds amazing flavor.
Orange juice: You also need orange juice for more amazing citrus taste.
Cheesecake Topping
Cream cheese: Using two packages of softened cream cheese creates the tangy filling.
Sugar: Add ⅔ cup of sugar to sweeten the filling.
Vanilla extract: Enhance the flavors of the dish by adding vanilla extract.
Lemon juice: You need 1 TBSP of lemon juice.
Kiwi: Top the bars with four kiwi’s, peeled & sliced.
Berries: Add strawberries, blueberries, raspberries to the bars with too.
Key Tips for Making Cheesecake Bars
You can see the recipe directions below, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- The crust needs to bake and cool! It can be made ahead of time if you’d like, but just know that you’ll need about 45 minutes to assemble, bake and cool it before moving on to the cheesecake.
- Make sure your cream cheese is SOFT. A smooth, creamy cheesecake starts with room temperature or slightly warm cream cheese. See more tips for this below.
- Cut bars first, then top with fruit. We found this just helps the bars look prettier!
How long are these cheesecake squares good for?
These cheesecake squares can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. They should be kept in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Can you freeze cheesecake bars?
Yes, cheesecake bars can be frozen. For the best results, they should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer bag. They can be stored for up to three months but should be thawed in the refrigerator before serving.
Kiwi Berry Cheesecake Squares Recipe
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup cold butter
Citrus Glaze:
- 6 TBSP sugar
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup orange juice
Cheesecake Topping:
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 TBSP lemon juice
- 4 kiwifruit peeled & sliced
- Berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Crust: Combine the flour & powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Cut in the butter until mixture is uniformly crumbly. Press into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown. Set on a wire rack to cool.
- Citrus glaze: While crust is baking, make the citrus glaze so that it has sufficient time to cool. Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Pour in both juices and whisk while bringing to a boil over medium heat. Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Cool completely.
- Cheesecake filling: In another mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Cover & refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Assemble: Cut cheesecake into 24 squares. Top each square with a slice of kiwi, then add a slice of strawberry, 1-2 blueberries & 1 raspberry per square. Brush berries lightly with glaze. Refrigerate until set & ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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How do you Soften Cream cheese?
Here in the US, cream cheese comes in an 8-oz brick wrapped in foil packaging. Most recipes call for softened cream cheese, which can be done in a few different ways:
- Microwave it! Just 20 seconds or so in the microwave will sufficiently soften cream cheese. Be sure to remove the foil packaging first and to place the cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl.
- Hot towel wrap! This is what I tend to do most often. All you do is get a clean kitchen rag, get it soaking wet with hot water, then ring it out quickly and wrap the hot towel around the foil package of cream cheese. It takes just a few minutes and it’s softened!
- Let it sit out! If you can plan ahead, the absolute easiest way to soften cream cheese is just to let it sit on the counter for an hour or two. Easy!
How long should you cool a crust before adding the filling?
You should cool the shortbread crust for about 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature. This allows it to set properly before adding the cheesecake filling. Make sure it’s completely cooled to prevent the filling from melting or becoming too runny.
What can be used as a substitute for powdered sugar in the shortbread crust?
If powdered sugar is unavailable, granulated sugar can be used as a substitute. To achieve a similar texture, it is recommended to blend granulated sugar in a blender or food processor until it becomes a fine powder.
More berry cheesecake recipes:
- Another great treat is our cherry cheesecake dip. It’s a delicious dish great for any occasion or event.
- Try this strawberry banana cheesecake salad at your next summer cookouts! A simple twist on a traditional fruit salad.
- Our recipe for cherry lime squares is a delightful, chilled treat that is always a hit with our family and friends. They are perfect for anyone who loves the combination of sweet & tart flavors.
- If you want a rich dessert, make these raspberry chocolate bars. They are buttery cookie bars topped with a raspberry cream cheese & chocolate fudge.
- Make this refreshing cherry cheesecake icebox dessert easily with only 6 ingredients!
- For a festive addition to patriotic parties, whip up a batch of these Red, White & Blue Cheesecake Bars!
Kiwi Berry Cheesecake Squares are a delightful combination of tangy cream cheese, sweet, citrus glaze, and refreshing berries. These mixed berry cheesecake are simple to make and are sure to be a crowd pleaser!
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