Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes Apricot Cheesecake Bars 3.1 (116) 4 Reviews By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 16, 2019 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 20 mins Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Yield: 24 Fresh apricot compote is swirled with cheesecake filling in this hand-held dessert. It's easy to make pretty decorative patterns. Try shallow back-and-forth motions, figure eights, and loose spirals. Ingredients 18 graham crackers 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar Coarse salt ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted 10 ounces apricots (about 4), halved, pitted, and cut into eighths 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature ½ cup sour cream, room temperature ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, process graham crackers, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in melted butter until crumbs are moistened. Wipe processor bowl clean. With a flat-bottomed 1-cup measure or glass, press crumbs evenly into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake until crust is firm, 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 325 degrees. In a small saucepan, bring apricots, 1/4 cup sugar, and pinch of salt to a boil over medium-high, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture is shiny, 10 minutes. In food processor, puree apricot mixture, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon water. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sour cream on medium until smooth. Add 3/4 cup sugar and beat until smooth. Add vanilla and pinch of salt and beat to combine. Add eggs and beat until smooth, scraping down bowl as needed. Pour cream-cheese mixture into cooled crust and smooth top. Randomly drop small spoonfuls apricot puree on cream-cheese mixture. With a skewer or thin-bladed knife, gently swirl puree. Bake just until set, about 25 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan on rack, then refrigerate until chilled and firm before cutting into squares, 2 hours. Variations Change it up: Substitute 3/4 cup strained jam for the apricot mixture -- we like blueberry. Rate it Print