Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

Crust

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cheesecake Filling

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup sliced strawberries

Strawberry Shortcake Topping

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

2. Prepare the crust by combining flour, sugar, and softened butter in a medium bowl until it forms a crumbly mixture.

3. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish.

4. Bake the crust for 20 minutes or until it's lightly golden brown.

5. For the cheesecake filling, beat the cream cheese with eggs and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth.

6. Stir in vanilla extract and sour cream.

7. Fold in sliced strawberries and distribute them evenly across the baked crust.

8. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the strawberry layer.

9. To make the strawberry shortcake topping, mix sliced strawberries and granulated sugar in a small bowl.

10. Drizzle heavy cream and confectioners' sugar over this mixture and stir until combined.

11. Arrange this strawberry shortcake mixture on top of the cheesecake filling.

12. Bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the edges are set but the center remains slightly jiggly.

13. Allow the bars to cool completely before refrigerating them.

14. Cut into squares once chilled and serve.

Note: The original recipe has been modified and combined with elements from "Strawberry Shortcake" (#73) and "Cheesecake" (#9).