These Berry cheesecake crumble bars are an amazing treat. They combine all the things I love in one. Cheesecake being number 1, crumble…because who doesn’t love crumble and obviously the cookie like bottom. And then the layer of juicy fruit. Which of course you can adapt to your favourite fruit.

They are super easy to make and a real crowd pleaser too.

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INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup cashew nuts
• 3 cups oats
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup natural oil or butter
• 1/2 cup plain sugar or coconut blossom sugar

• 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened and at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose or spelt flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg at room temperature

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• 2 cups frozen berries of choice
• 2 tbsp. corn starch dissolved in two tbsp. water
• 2 tbsp. sugar (or more to taste)

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F . Line an 8-inch baking tray with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor, combine the nuts, oats, and salt and process until you have a coarse flour. Leave it in the processor.
3. In a small pot, melt the oil or butter with the sugar over low heat, until the sugar has dissolved.
4. Pour the wet mixture on top of the oat mixture in the food processor and process until the mixture comes together.
5. Set aside 1 cup of the crumble mixture for the topping.
6. Place the remaining oat mixture over the base of the baking tray and push down with your (slightly wet) fingers. Press the dough down tightly. 
7. Pre bake the crust for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
8. Meanwhile make the fruit layer by placing the berries in a saucepan and bring to a slow boil over medium heat. Add the corn starch slurry and sugar and cook until thickened. Don’t stir to vigorously , try to leave some berries whole.
9. Let cool slightly.
10. Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
11. Spread all the cream cheese mixture over the oat base
12. Spread the slightly cooled fruit in an even layer over the cream cheese.
13. Crumble the reserved cup of oat mixture evenly over the fruit.
14. Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes more, until the topping is lightly golden and firm. Let cool in the pan on a cooling rack for at least an hour, then transfer the pan to the fridge until completely cool and firm (preferably over night). If you can’t wait, put the slightly cooled tray into the freezer for about 30 to 40 minutes. Lift out and slice into squares. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. They freeze well too. 

Enjoy!

Myra XO