Claim Jumper's Lemon Bar Brulee

This is a keeper. I can't say enough about this recipe. Julia took my family and I to Claim Jumper in Las Vegas which was absolutely fabulous. I am such a chocolate fan ,we ordered their Motherload Chocolate Cake and then this to split. This got devoured and the chocolate cake was hardly even touched. As soon as I got home I hopped on the internet to see if there was a copycat recipe. To me this tasted just as good as theirs. I don't care for the raspberry sauce so I never make it. This is one of my all time favorite desserts. Really.

Lemon Bar Brulee

Crust
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 c. white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4-1/2 c. chopped pecans (depending on how much you like)

*I added pecans to the crust because it seemed like they had nuts in theirs at Claim Jumper*

Filling
8 oz. cream cheese
1/3 c. white sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 c. heavy whipping cream, whipped

Lemon Layer
1 jar 11 oz. lemon curd

Brulee Topping
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

Fresh Raspberry Sauce
12 oz. frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
1/3 cup sugar (more as needed)
1 cup water
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For the crust: In a medium bowl, stir together all purpose flour and sugar. Cut in butter until the mixture is crumbly. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9 x 9 baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm and slightly golden. Set aside to cool.

In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and lemon juice. Whip cream, and fold into cream cheese mixture. Spread in pan over shortbread crust. Place in refrigerator until chilled througout, approx. 30 minutes.

After cheesecake is set, top with lemon curd and smooth surface. (The lemon curd is an extremely thin layer but don't worry it has tons of flavor) Put back in refrigerator until ready to serve.

You can either use a brulee torch for the topping or follow these directions.

Preheat broiler. Press brown sugar through strainer over lemon curd to cover completely and evenly( I have found the more even you get it the better. It also helps to really pack it down with your hands so it is smooth. If you have any chunks sticking up they will burn)Watching closely, broil 4 to 6 inches from heat source until sugar bubbles and caramelizes, about 2 minutes.

For the raspberry sauce: Puree raspberries in blender with water until smooth. Strain into small saucepan, pressing puree through mesh. Whisk sugar and cornstarch into sauce. Cook all ingredients together over medium high heat until thickened and clear.

Remove from heat and add more sugar if necessary and set aside to cool slightly before serving. Cover and chill until ready to use.

Serve at room temperature with a drizzle of raspberry sauce on plate and a side of sweetened whipped cream.