Lemon Cream Cheese Bars: The Perfect Treat for Every Occasion
Tangy-sweet lemon bars with a velvety cream cheese layer, perched on a crisp shortbread crust. The perfect balance of bright citrus and rich creaminess!
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 mins
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (170g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Lemon Layer:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon zest (about 3 lemons)
- 2/3 cup (160ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
- For Dusting:
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 9×9″ pan with parchment.
- Crust: Pulse flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter in food processor until crumbly. Press into pan. Bake 20 mins until golden.
- Cream Cheese Layer: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla; spread over warm crust.
- Lemon Layer: Whisk eggs, sugar, zest, juice, and flour until smooth. Pour over cream cheese layer.
- Bake: 25-30 mins until set (center should jiggle slightly). Cool completely in pan.
- Chill: Refrigerate 4+ hours. Dust with powdered sugar before cutting.
Notes
- For clean cuts: Use hot knife wiped between slices
- Make ahead: Keeps refrigerated 5 days or frozen 1 month
- Texture tip: Strain lemon mixture for ultra-smooth layer
- Variation: Add 1/2 cup blueberries to lemon layer
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Find it online: https://us.recipesfood.org/lemon-cream-cheese-bars/
