Mixed Berry Cheesecake Crumb Bars

The biggest game day is upon us, February 1^st – that’s less than three weeks away. So let’s start planning because whether you are going to the football party or throwing the football party the food is an important component.

And depending on what side you fall on—football fan first, food second or you’re like me, food first and football second—let’s plan for something to serve or to bring.

Something like these Mixed Berry Cheesecake Crumb Bars. Here’s the secret ingredient that makes this: the crust. The crust starts with a brown butter for a soft toffee-like flavor and the crushed Ritz Crackers is the secret punch that gives the ensemble a sweet and salty profile. Of course I can never stop with good enough, so I threw in a Blueberry Coke reduction sauce to serve with the vanilla ice cream topping. Yep, trust me you are not going to want to miss the sauce. It catapults the dessert into another stratosphere.

Now with the food out of the way, let’s get to some fun. I’m doing a “Home Bowl” Pinterest contest to get us all geared and ready. Here’s how it’s going to work:

Contest Prize*: Three winners will be chosen. Each winner will be awarded a “Home Bowl” prize pack valued at $350 (approximate retail value). Each prize pack includes: (1) one $250 Visa gift (2) Coca-Cola product (3) Ritz Crackers (4) “Home Bowl” themed serving cups, cutting board and tote bag.

Contest Date: The contest entry date begins January 12, 2015 and closes February 2, 2015.

Contest Entry**: To enter the contest, you must complete each of the following items: (1) Create a Pinterest board titled Coca-Cola #HomeBowlHeroContest (2) Pin your favorite game day food or drink, party tips or a combination thereof (3) Each pin posted to your Coca-Cola #HomeBowlHeroContest must include the hashtag #HomeBowlHeroContest (4) Copy and paste the Coca-Cola #HomeBowlHeroContest board URL in the comment section of this post.

Winner Selection: Winner(s) will randomly be selected and contacted via email provided in the comment section. Winner(s) will have up to 72 hours to respond to notification with a valid phone number and address.

*The prize was provided by The Coca-Cola Company. The Coca-Cola Company Company is not a sponsor, administrator or connected in any other way with this [contest].

** Coca-Cola and Ritz crackers do not need to be shown or included in any pins to be eligible to win.

Mixed Berry Cheesecake Crumble Bars

Yield: Makes 10-12 servings

Ingredients:

Crust

• 12 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup crushed Ritz Crackers, about 8 whole crackers

Filling

• 12 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 oz. raspberries
• 4 oz. blackberries
• 4 oz. blueberries

Topping

• ½ cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cake flour
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons butter, chilled

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