Jazzy Gourmet

Strawberry Cheesecake Blondies

• 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 3/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar and lime juice. Cook over medium heat until mixture reduces to 1/2 cup. Remove from heat.

In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup sifted flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Whisk ingredients together and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine butter with brown sugar and mix well. Add 1 egg, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla. Blend well. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing well. Spread in a buttered 8x8x2-inch square pan.

In same medium bowl, combine cream cheese, 2 tablespoons flour and the remaining egg. Alternately spoon cream cheese mixture and cooked strawberries onto blondie layer. Using a knife, swirl to marble.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 40 – 50 minutes or until center is set. Remove pan from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes. Cut the blondies into 2-inch squares. Refrigerate leftovers (although there won’t be any!).

Makes 16 (2-inch) squares