Saturday 22 June 2013

Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars


These Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars are amazing.  They are incredibly lemony, with  lemon in the shortbread crust, lemon in the cheesecake layer, and lemon in the blueberry mixture.  Perfectly tart, sweet and creamy, with a wonderful burst of blueberries.



A dear friend arrived bright and early on a Saturday morning with fresh lemons, blueberries, and coffee... and we got to work.


Lemons were zested.


Blueberry's were cooked.


The kids got in on the action.


And discovered that drinking lemon juice is not at all like drinking lemonade.


 We drank coffee, dirtied dishes, washed them and dirtied them again.  We talked about hockey, school, soccer, the weather... and how much we'd miss a mutual friend who would soon be leaving us with her upcoming move to the US.  We sampled the cooling blueberry sauce and decided it would be great on ice-cream or pancakes or waffles... and sampled it again just to be sure.  We plopped it onto the creamy cheesecake layer and let loose our inner artists to create decorative swirls.


 Kids wandered in and out of the kitchen while we waited on the oven.  It was a long 40 minutes.


But oh so worth it.  Lemon heaven.


We didn't wait for them to cool.


Seriously, you need to make these.



Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Crust
1 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 heaping tbsp lemon zest
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt

Filling
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp lemon zest
2 tbsp lemon juice

2 - 250g blocks cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp vanilla 
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment.

Combine 1 tbsp lemon zest with 1/2 cup granulated sugar and rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers to infuse the sugar with lemon.  Beat butter with the granulated sugar and lemon zest in a large bowl on medium speed until creamy.  Beat in flour and salt until combined.  Press dough into bottom of prepared pan and bake until edges are golden, 25 - 30 minutes.

Combine blueberries with brown sugar, 2 tbsp lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until berries are just soft, 5 - 10 minutes.  Set aside to cool.

Combine 1 tbsp lemon zest with 1/2 cup granulated sugar and rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers to infuse the sugar with lemon.  Strain the sugar to remove the zest.  Beat cream cheese with the lemon infused sugar and vanilla in a large bowl on medium speed until smooth.  Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined. 

Scrape cream cheese mixture onto warm crust and smooth top.  Dollop blueberry mixture randomly over top of cream cheese layer.  Gently pull a knife tip through the top to create swirls.

Bake in centre of oven until filling is set, about 40 min.  Cool.  Enjoy.




 


Thank you for featuring me!

Featured at the This Is How We Roll Link Party My Turn for us       Elizabeth and Co.    Pinbellish Feature - awarded to all featured pins

114 comments:

  1. OMG that looks good. I just licked the computer screen.

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  2. Jenn, just fantastic - love the idea of blueberry and lemon together. Thanks for adding them to the treats table. Cheers

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  3. Hi, visiting from Nifty Thrifty Sunday. Those look delicious. I might have to rethink my decision not to eat cheesecake.

    Raki

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  4. I'm visiting from the Let's Get Social Sunday hop and these look delicious!

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  5. Looks yummy! Would love to have you share it at our Ladies Only Blog Share link party - which has a summer theme this week! Visiting from Social Sunday! :)

    http://mommifried.com/ladies-only-blog-share-link-party-funtastical-summer/

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  6. These look delicious~ And Yes!! I will make these:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

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  7. Ooooooooooo - they look absolutely delicious. I can't wait to have a go!

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  8. This is probably one of my favorite combos- blueberry & lemon! Found you at Mop it up Mondays.

    ~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
    http://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com/

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  9. Jen, found you at Mop it Up Monday. These look awesome. Love the blueberry swirl and the touch of lemon, sounds delicious! Great recipe. I hope you have a great start to your week! :)

    Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats

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  10. Hoping over from Sweet & Savory Sundays. These cheesecake bars look incredible!!!

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  11. Hoping over from Sweet & Savory Sundays. These cheesecake bars look incredible!!!

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  12. Oh my, I'm making these...seriously.
    JoAnn

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  13. Poppingby from I don't Liek MOndays/ These look amazing! Adding them to my days to do list :-)

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  14. This looks so good! I could imagine the smell of the lemon zest. Isn't zest one of the best smells ever? I have a bag of lemons and some blueberries in the fridge. I think I need to make a run for cream cheese. (I'm a serious cheesecake fanatic!)

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  15. Hey, I'm a new follower from the Tuesday hop. Seeing that layer of lemon with blueberry on top makes me drool! Looks yummy!

    I'd love it if you can follow me back :)

    xoxo
    ochibernadas.blogspot.com

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  16. Just happened by via Diane and Tuesdays with a Twist -- those do look wonderful. Now if I could just get decent blueberries in southern California!

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  17. Oh my, these look melt in your mouth delicious!

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  18. Oh wow! I would love some of this! Thank you for linking up at All My Bloggy Friends .... I've shared this on FB :)

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  19. Thanks for sharing this mouthwatering recipe! I am pinning it now! Stopping by from Tasteful Tuesdays! Sandra From
    http://scrumptilicious4you.blogspot.com/2013/06/sweet-chicken-tortilla-salad.html

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  20. I can't even put into words how much this makes me drool! haha. I love blueberry and lemon together, such great flavors! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for linking up with us for the Hump Day Hop! We appreciate your support. :)

    http://www.thechroniclesofchaos.com

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  21. These look mouth watering! Love this combination!

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  22. This looks so tasty! I would love it if you would come and link this up at my link party
    Dandelion Wishes Wednesday. I'm also pinning this :)

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  23. Oh these look amazing! I am definitely making these very soon:) My family will love these!!

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  24. Another good one! I'm so glad you linked up to our Ladies Only Blog Share. I look forward to many more recipes like this one! And more photos!

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  25. This looks awesome!!! We would love it if you would link up at our linky party:
    http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/two-girls-and-a-party-link-up-22/
    Live every Wednesday to Sunday.
    Hosted by:
    http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/ Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off
    http://thissillygirlslife.com/ Dana @ This Silly Girl's Life
    We hope to see you there!

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  26. New follwer via I Am Eve hop. This recipe looks awesome! TFS!

    Pam
    @ www.pjstreasures.blogspot.com

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  27. Yummo! Thank you for spreading JOY and sharing at the Oh What a HAPPY Day party.

    Holly at Not Done Growing

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  28. Hey there! New follower! I found your blog from the I Am Eve Blog Hop. You make me want to go out and buy the ingredients to make this recipe! It looks so yummy. I was definitely thinking these photos should be on pinterest and I see your pinterest section which looks so good! I'll be sure to follow you to get a peak at more yummy recipes! :)

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  29. Ever since making some lemon blueberry cupcakes, I'm obsessed with this flavor. And now a cheesecake! Oh I can't wait. Just pinned and will be trying it out sometime in the next couple weeks. Yum!!

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  30. Wow I never thought about lemon and blueberry together. But I love them both plus cheesecake! OH YEAH!

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  31. These look ah-mazing!! Pinning them to try later :)

    Jenn
    www.therollinshouse.com

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  32. Looks delish!! Pinned it. :)

    Jamie
    www.huckleberrylove.com

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  33. Those look yum! All you had to say was cheesecake! Pinned it! Thanks for linking up at All Things Pretty.

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  34. These look incredible!!! Newest follower here from Oh So Amelia Link Up.
    Angela
    http://lemoinefamilykitchen.blogspot.com

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  35. Oh my gosh - these looks soooo delicious!! And I just happen to have some blueberries in the freezer I need to use up!

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  36. G'day! Is only brekkie here, but could go for some of this now, true!
    Love your recipe, photo and swirl too!
    Cheers! Joanne
    http://www.facebook.com/whatsonthelist
    Foodie Friends Party too! :)

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  37. OMG I'm drooling all over my keyboard!

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  38. Oh yeah! This looks really, really good!! :-)

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  39. These look soo yummy!

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  40. Hey Jenn,
    Just wanted to let you know my readers are going gaga over your recipe. So far you have 274 clicks on Cast Party Wednesday and I shared it today on Facebook and it has been shared 484 times. CONGRATULATIONS and keep the yummy recipes coming!
    Have a GREAT day!
    ~Sheryl @ Lady Behind The Curtain~

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  41. I'm having a cup of coffee as I'm reading this post and I can only imagine how this cake will taste with my coffee. My friends are coming over on Monday after work, and I'm going to make this. Thanks for the recipe.

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  42. That looks delicious. The recipe sounds straight forward. I will be trying this for sure.

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  43. This just looks amazing, whoo I need a piece :)

    Thanks for linking up to the weekend blog hop ...

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  44. Wow they look so yummy!

    Just popping over from Friday Chaos Blog Hop!

    Emma x
    Handbags To Change Bags - Mummy & Lifestyle Blog

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  45. LOVE!!
    Totally just pinned this - have to tweek it slightly because of dairy allergies but can't wait to try it.
    Thanks so much for sharing

    Lotte xo
    BericeBaby || Parenting & Lifestyle Blog

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  46. This looks great! Pinning! Visiting from Friday flash blog @Jenny Evolution

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  47. Yum! Do I have to share it with my kids too?

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  48. These look delicious! I would love for you to stop by and link them up at my party! http://www.livingbettertogether.com/2013/06/tgif-link-party-no-2.html

    Have a great weekend!

    Rebecca

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  49. This looks amazing! I love anything with lemon in it. Thanks for stopping by and linking up to Fluster Buster's Creative Muster Party! Looking forward to seeing what you're going to link up next week.

    Robin @ Fluster Buster

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  50. Hi Jenn! Visiting from Freedom Fridays and following you via GFC and Pinterest! This is my kind of recipe....especially the BIG pan it makes...YUM!

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  51. So much lemon! I love it. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday

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  52. This looks so delicious. I would love to be able to do this. The combination if those ingredients has to result in tasty cheesecake bars. A nice hot cup of coffee with this and I would be very happy :) Thank you for sharing this delightful looking recipe.
    I found you on The Bloglovin Collective Hop hosted by: Erin @ Unconventional Mommy Tales
    Have a great weekend!!!
    Bismah

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  53. Thanks for linking to What'd You Do This Weekend? Blueberry and lemon are so good. Great pix.
    We're having a Burger Bash June 29 - July3. Hope you can drop by.

    Wishes for tasty dishes,
    Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa

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  54. Jenn, this looks absolutely wonderful and I am licking the screen. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday and this is my host favorite for this week.

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  55. They look so mouthwatering! The swirl turned out perfect! And what I especially like is, that you use fresh lemons. I see so many people using the one out of the bottle and it's so sad, because you will never get the intense flavor as you do when using fresh one :)
    Thank you so much for sharing this at Wednesday Extravaganza - can't wait to see what you share next week :)

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  56. This looks amazing! I love blueberries! THank you for linking up with Foodie Friends Friday. We are featuring your recipe on Daily Dish Magazine today. Come on over: http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/host-favorite-recipes-50/

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  57. OMG. This look DELICIOUS. I'm not a huge fan of lemon stuff but I'm definitely making these! Stopping by from ALl Things Pretty Linky!

    Christine :)
    http://www.myepicureanadventures.com

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  58. Whoa! What a great looking cheesecake & perfect for blueberry season! :) We always get buckets of blueberries from the farm this time of year and your recipe would be a great way to use some of them up! Plus, hellooooo, it's CHEESECAKE! lol :) Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers! Please be sure to stop back by the party and check out some of the other links!

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  59. Love a new recipe and your blueberry lemon cheesecake looks like a keeper for sure. I can't wait to try it. Great tutorial by the way.Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  60. These look delicious! Thanks so much for linking up to our "Inspire Me Please" blog party! I am featuring you this week.
    xo, Jennifer @Blissfully Ever After

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  61. Oooh... These look so YUMMY! Blueberries, lemon AND cheesecake?! Now that's where it's at! Thank you for hopping on board The Great Blog Train! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Advenures

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  62. Oh my, these look so good. Thank you for linking up with Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen over at Tots and Me. Can't wait to try these.

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  63. Just pinned and will be sharing on Facebook as one of this weeks Freedom Friday Features!!

    Thanks, my sweet talented friend!!

    Hugs

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  64. These look incredible! I pinned it. =0)
    ~Kim
    www.2justByou.com

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  65. This looks amazing! I love the combo of blueberries and lemon, and I definitely love cheesecake. Thanks for linking up at Food on Friday!

    TaMara @ Tales of a Pee Dee Mama

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  66. Oh my!! This looks heavenly! Definitely putting it on my "must try" list :) Thanks for sharing the recipe. I am now following along and I look forward to visiting again.

    Hugs,
    Stephanie
    theenchantingrose.blogspot.com

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  67. Oh my gosh WHY!?!?!?!?!?! These look so incredibly amazing; I am totally craving them right now. Talk about a perfect summer treat!

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  68. Those cheesecake bars look so good!

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  69. Oh my word! These look amazing and I love the photos of the prep. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Wednesdays at Pink Recipe Box :)

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  70. Stopping by from Let's Get Social Sunday :) These look amazingly delicious! Blueberries and Lemon are always perfect together so I can't imagine these will be any different.

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  71. Oh my, I wouldn't wait for this to cool either if I had this in front of me!

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  72. Wow this looks amazing! Thank you for sharing this on my blog hop! I featured your recipe on this week's blog hop: What Are You Doing? Blog Hop #15

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  73. Jenn, I love your recipes! These sound delicious and I love your photos. Thank you for sharing on the Four Seasons Blog Hop. Have a great weekend and hope to see you next week!
    Easy Life Meal & Party Planning

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  74. These look delish! I'm hosing a state art giveaway that you should enter! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/10/state-art-giveaway-from-word-lust.html

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  75. These look amazing. I have to get the stuff to make them soon.

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  76. This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing at Show Off Fridays and I hope to see you again this Friday!

    Jenn @ IHeartHandsOn.blogspot.ca

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  77. I am SO making these!! Oh my gosh....it's 11 pm here and I want to start right now!! I know I don't have lemons though -- ggrrr.
    My mom is coming this week and this is the perfect recipe for us to make after the kids go to school and over our 2nd, 3rd cup of coffee.
    there may even be some left when the kids get home! :)

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  78. Oh wow, these look so easy to make. For sure looking forward to the blueberry season!

    Thanks for linking with us at #WhyFakeItJustMakeIt

    mamaandthecity.com

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  79. Stopping by to Thank you for sharing at One More Time Events and let you know you have been featured this week…Tammy

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  80. Wow, this looks so pretty and amazing!!

    Again, thanks for joining the Link Up this week!

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  81. Oh my goodness this looks delish! I would love to pin but I have tried & it won't let me :-(
    Thanks for linking up at the Bloggers Brags Weekly Pinterest Party

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  82. Hi Jenn,
    Your Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars look wonderful, sure wish I had one right now. Thank you so much for sharing your special recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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  83. these look beyond delicious! Checking them out from the wonderful WEdnesday blog hop! Yummy!
    Cathy
    www.threekidsandafish.com

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  84. Blueberry + Lemon is one of my favorite flavor combos! I'll definitely be trying this recipe- looks delish! Stopping by from the weekend re-treat link party. :)

    Jess @ Clean Lean Mommy

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  85. This looks fantastic! Pinning for later and I am definitely going to have to try this. Thanks for sharing! :)

    Chelsey @ Budget Girl

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  86. These look heavenly. This recipe is a keeper for sure. I have a freezer full of blueberries from my summer picking. Pinned!

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  87. Made these for Easter dinner and even though there was a table full of desserts, I went home with an empty dish and requests for the recipe. It's going in my "favorite recipes" folder. This was so delicious, thank you for sharing!

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  88. Congrats! You are featured on this week's Do Tell Tuesday link party and have been pinned to our features board! Feel free to grab a button and link up this week too. :) http://www.vintagezest.com/2014/04/do-tell-tuesday-20-with-features-co-host.html

    Diane @ Vintage Zest

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  89. Looks delicious! Love blueberries and lemon together. Pinned!

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  90. These look so decadent! I can imagine they would be delicious with a big cup of coffee. :-)
    Thanks for linking up in the Bloggers Brags Party at Surviving Toddlerhood! Bring more of your amazing recipes soon!

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  91. OMG these look amazing! I love, love, love blueberries and lemon as a flavour pairing and I have a feeling I could very easily devour entire tray in one sitting.
    Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare – check out the other entries on Pinteresthttp://www.pinterest.com/supergolden88/cookblogshare/
    and Google+
    https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/107696809290414888934

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  92. Yum yum yum! Lemons and blueberries together is just incredible!

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  93. The ripple effect on that cheesecake looks awesome!

    Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning :-)

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  94. I love lemon and blueberry combinations and these bars look amazing! Thanks for sharing with the Tips and Tricks link party.

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  95. This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing with us at Your Designs This Time!

    Emily & Erin

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  96. These look so delicious! I don't want to wait to make them.

    I know it is better to use fresh blueberries but has anybody attempted at using frozen?
    I don't have fresh blueberries at the moment and I am dying to make these!

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    Replies
    1. I think it would work just fine with frozen blueberries. You may just have to let the blueberry filling cook down a little longer if the frozen berries release too much liquid! Thanks for stopping by Miranda :)

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  97. Oh my goodness, these look scrumptious!!!! What a delicious dessert!!!!

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  98. Drooling...these look AMAZING! Thank you for linking up to Thursday Favorite Things and we hope to see you again next week!

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  99. Out of all your recipes you linked up on the Country Fair Blog Party I think I might need to make these this week, or now! They sound delicious! Thanks for linking up this month. I love how I was interested in all three of your link ups.

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    Replies
    1. By the way, I gave this recipe one of my Blue Ribbons for last month's Country Fair Blog Party: http://www.cornbeanspigskids.com/2015/07/country-fair-blog-party-all-american.html. Hope you link up again this month!

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  100. These sound delicious... and your design is beautiful also. :)

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  101. I can't wait to try these. They look amazing! Thanks for linking up to the Country Fair Blog party.

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  102. These look lovely :) Love the lemon & Blueberry flavours :)

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  103. Visiting from the Recipe Swap, this looks delicious.

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  104. You know what these would go good with? A side of wine! Oh my goodness they look rich and delicious! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with us at #foodpornthursdays.

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  105. Oooohhhh, these would be delicious for my Easter dessert table!

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  106. These bars look amazing! Thanks for linkin' up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!

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  107. I love cheesecake and usually go with mini ones when I bake but this look so much easier and more fancy! Thanks for sharing with us over at Creative K Kids’ last week. Please join us again this week!

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