SPLENDID BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE BARS

CRUST:
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs*
1/4 cup Splenda Granular
1/3 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, Splenda granular and butter; mix together well. Firmly press the mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

FILLING:
12-oz cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup Splenda Granular
2 large eggs
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup fresh blueberries

TOPPING:
1/4 cup sugar-free apricot preserves
1 tbsp water

With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese at medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the Splenda, beating until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the sour cream and vanilla, beating just until blended. Gently stir in the blueberries. Pour the mixture over the crust in the pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until firm. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Combine the preserves with the water in a small saucepan. Cook mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the preserves melt. Spread over the filling. Cut into twenty bars before serving.

*If you are worried about the sugar in the graham crackers, substitute some sugar-free butter cookies, crumbled fine.

For this dessert to be healthier, use reduced-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat sour cream. This will not hurt the recipe.

Note: File Photo