happy 4th of july!

we attended a couple of fourth of july cookouts yesterday & I wanted to make some sort of cutesy patriotic dessert to take. luckily, my mom whipped out her "fourth of july" recipe folder & had a photo of these cute lemon bars torn out from a magazine in 1996 (seriously). they were fairly easy to make & everyone loved them. if you do decide to make these, I recommend making them the day before & then decorating the day of. happy 4th!

lemon cheesecake flag bars

crust:
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

lemon filling:
8 oz light cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon peel
1/3 fresh lemon juice

topping:
1 1/2 cups reduced-fat sour cream
1/3 cup granulated sugar
garnish: fresh blueberries, rube of red piping gel or icing

1. heat over to 350f. line a 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, letting ends extend above pan 1-2 inches.
2. crust: in food processor or with electric mixer, process butter, flour & confectioners' sugar until mixture holds together & forms a dough. press evenly over bottom of prepared pan. bake for 15-20 minutes or until light golden & firm when touched.
3. lemon filling: beat cream cheese & sugar in large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth. reduce mixer to medium & beat in eggs, lemon peel & lemon juice just until well blended. pour over crust & spread in an even layer. bake 20 minutes until top is almost set.
4. topping: mix sour cream, sugar & vanilla. carefully pour & spread mixture over top. bake 10 minutes longer.
5. remove pan to a wire rack. cool, then refrigerate at least four hours before cutting.
6. lift foil by ends onto a cutting board.
to decorate as flags: cut into bars & arrange on a serving tray. pile blueberry "stars" in top left corner, then pipe horizontal red "stripes" with piping gel or icing.