Spiced Cheesecake Bars

ingredients

• Crust:
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 9 rectangular sheets)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
•  
• Bars:
• Two 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

directions

Crust:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.

In a medium bowl, mix the crust ingredients together and press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake in the oven until light brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Turn the oven to 325 degrees F.

Bars:

Using an electric mixer, blend the cream cheese with sugar. Mix until smooth and no lumps remain. Add the sour cream, eggs and vanilla, and mix until well incorporated and smooth.

Set aside a cup of the mixture in a small bowl, then pour the remainder onto the crust. Stir the spices into the reserved mixture, then place dollops on top of the mixture in the pan. Using a butter knife, create swirls by drawing the knife through the two mixtures. Bake in the oven until set, about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool before cutting into 16 bars (4 rows by 4 rows).