Name: Apricot Cheesecake Bars
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients: Flour: 300 g (1.8 cups); Salt: a pinch; Baking powder: 5 g (1 teaspoon); Icing sugar: 70 g (5 teaspoons); Butter: 150 g (5.2 oz); Lemon zest: from 1 lemon; Egg: 1; Sour cream: 40 g (2 teaspoons); Cottage cheese or cream cheese: 500 g (18 oz); Sugar: 100 g (6 teaspoons); Vanilla sugar: 1 teaspoon; Eggs: 2; Lemon juice: 2 teaspoons; Milk: 100 ml; Cornstarch: 40 g (3.5 teaspoons); Apricots (as needed); Almonds (optional); Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Directions

Prepare the Crust In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, icing sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and rub it into the dry ingredients with your hands until crumbly. Mix in the lemon zest, sour cream, and egg. Continue kneading until a soft dough forms.
Chill and Pre-bake Press the dough evenly into the base of a 30x20 cm pan. Chill the pan in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese (or cottage cheese), sugar, and vanilla sugar. Beat until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the cornstarch, milk, and lemon juice. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
Assemble and Bake Pour the prepared filling over the chilled crust, spreading it evenly. Arrange halved apricots on top of the filling. Sprinkle almonds if desired. Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for 60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is lightly golden.
Final Touch Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

Apricot Cheesecake Bars