Making these delicious Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars involves a few simple steps. Follow this guide to create them perfectly:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal later.

2. Prepare the Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until everything is well mixed and crumbles form.

3. Press into Pan: Pour the crust mixture into the prepared baking pan. Press it firmly and evenly across the bottom to create a solid crust layer.

4. Bake the Crust: Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until it is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

5. Make the Filling: In another mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes.

6. Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture. Mix until fully combined and smooth.

7. Add Blueberries: Gently fold in the fresh blueberries. Be careful not to crush them; you want to maintain their shape for presentation.

8. Pour Filling: Distribute the cream cheese filling evenly over the cooled crust, smoothing it out with a spatula.

9. Bake Again: Return the pan to the oven and bake the bars for an additional 30-35 minutes. The filling should be set but slightly soft in the center.

10. Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool at room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to set further.

11. Slice and Serve: Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice them into squares and dust with powdered sugar if desired.

These steps will guide you through the process of creating Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars with ease and delicious results.