To change things up, you can swap the raspberry jam for almost any fruit flavor you like—strawberry, blueberry, cherry, or apricot all work really well.
If you want a slightly less sweet bar, reduce the sugar in the cream cheese mixture to 1/2 cup. For a little texture and a bakery-style finish, sprinkle 2–3 tablespoons of coarse sugar on top of the dough before baking.
You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract to the cream cheese mixture for extra flavor.
If you prefer a lighter dessert, use one regular cream cheese and one light (neufchâtel) block; just keep in mind the bars may be a bit softer. For a brunch vibe, cut the bars into smaller bite-sized squares and serve them on a platter like mini danishes.
These are also very meal-prep friendly: bake them the night before, chill overnight, and simply slice and serve the next day when things get busy.
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