Description
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars are a tangy and creamy dessert with a buttery crust, perfect for any occasion from summer picnics to holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 and ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix 1 and ½ cups flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup softened butter, and ¼ teaspoon salt until crumbly. Press the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Remove and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup sugar, eggs, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
- Pour the cream cheese filling over the cooled crust and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set. The edges should be golden, and the center slightly jiggly.
- Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before cutting into squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for a smooth filling.
- Overbaking can dry out the edges, so monitor the baking time closely.
- Refrigerate bars for at least 3 hours to set the filling before cutting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Lemon Cream Cheese Bars, Cream Cheese Bars, Lemon Bars Recipe, Lemon Dessert, Creamy Lemon Bars, Easy Lemon Bars