S'mores Cookie Bars
45 min
Featured Recipe
Blueberry Cream Crunch
By Kate
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Layered dessert with crumbly crust, tangy cream cheese blend, blueberry topping, and whipped cream. Uses nutty base with baked texture. Chill to set layers well. Swaps in almond flour and walnuts; adds fresh lemon zest for brightness. Balanced fat and sugar. Serves sixteen with moderate protein and fiber. Emphasizes tactile and visual readiness over strict timing. Adaptable to ingredient availability. Notes typical pitfalls and fixes.
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Prep:
20 min
Cook:
13 min
Total:
3h 30min
Serves:
16 servings
dessert
blueberry
cream cheese
layered
no-bake
Introduction
Layers, textures, contrasting flavors all piled up. Crust’s deeper nutty notes from walnuts and almond flour, adding distinct rustic crunch. Not overly sweet baseline; sugar trimmed to avoid cloy. Cream cheese whipped silk, lightened with real whipped topping, cuts thickness without losing structure. Blueberry pie filling—sticky, glossy, tangy, dotted with fruit chunks—anchors the sweet side. Then, cool whip topping seals freshness and lightness. Lemon zest wakes it all up, a subtle simmer under the sweet layers. Chill times matter; rush it and layers blend, lose shape. Patience yields sharp layers and clean slices. Great for gatherings; textures stay in place, flavors balanced, not one-note sweet. Options for nuts or crust flour swappable without losing base intent.
Ingredients
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About the ingredients
Almond flour replaces graham base for nuttier depth and gluten-free option. Walnuts in place of pecans – earthier, less sweet but more texture. Melted unsalted butter is key; keeps crust binding without greasy patches. Granulated sugar adjusted downward as almond flour’s natural oils add sweetness. Powdered sugar for smooth sweetening cream layer; avoid extra grit or lumps. Whipped topping cuts cream cheese density, stabilizes texture. Fresh lemon zest brightens and balances sugar and dairy heaviness. Blueberry pie filling adds color, acidity, and sticky vibrancy. White chocolate curls bring mild sweetness and subtle creamy mouthfeel. Chopped walnuts add crunch and visual contrast.
Method
Technique Tips
Temperature matters: lowering oven prevents quick burning of nut mixture. Watching crust edges for color is better than strict timing—edges browning, centers firm under touch indicate readiness. Cooling crust fully before layering crucial; warm crust softens cream layer, causes sinking or mixing. Whip cream cheese thoroughly for fluffy base; folding whipped topping gently preserves airiness—don’t rush. Powdered sugar dissolves quickly; mix in sifted when possible to prevent lumps. Lemon zest stirred evenly for uniform brightness. Layer blueberry filling gently with spoon or offset scraper to avoid squishing cream layer. Final whipped topping should be spread lightly; thick smears mask layers and look heavy. Refrigerate minimum 3 hours; better overnight for all layers to meld and firm. Garnish just prior to serving so melting or sogginess avoided. Sharpen knives before slicing for clean cuts without layer smearing.
Chef's Notes
- 💡 Pulse nuts until crumbly. Not oily. Avoid powder. Keep bits distinct. Use a food processor; chop manually if needed. Too fine ruins crust. Texture key.
- 💡 Melt butter properly for binding. If crust crumbles, add a bit more butter till sandy texture. Avoid wet patches. Press down firmly to pack. No gaps.
- 💡 For smooth cream, whip cheese till fluffy. Fold whipped topping in slowly. Preserve air; prevent deflation. Be gentle; it matters. Cream layer holds weight.
- 💡 Watch crust closely. Edges browning mean readiness. If burnt, lower heat for next time. Cooling completely crucial; warm wrecks cream layer adhesion. High stakes.
- 💡 Chill time critical. If rushed, layers meld, lose shape. Better at least 3 hours. Overnight? Best. Texture and flavor benefits. Patience pays off.
- 💡 White chocolate curls? Easy to make. Use a sharp knife, shave off pieces. Avoid too thick; light curls add visual appeal and slight sweetness. Perfect touch.
Kitchen Wisdom
How substitute ingredients?
Swap almond flour for regular flour if need. Pecans instead of walnuts work too. Know flavors change, adjust if needed.
Blueberry filling alternatives?
Use fresh blueberries cooked with sugar and cornstarch. What about other fruits? Raspberry or cherry works. Different layers, same idea.
Troubles with layers?
If cream layer sinks, crust too warm. Cool completely before adding. Thick crust might help too, prevent sinking under weight.
Storing leftovers?
Keep in fridge but cover tightly. Lasts few days. If freezing, don’t freeze whipped topping. Separate layers; preserve textures.
