Cream Cheese Lemon Bars
User Reviews
4.9
Cream Cheese Lemon Bars
Description
Cream Cheese Lemon Bars start with a crust made from flour, sugar, salt, and chilled butter processed into fine crumbs and baked briefly to form a firm base. The filling blends softened cream cheese, sugar, flour, powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, eggs, and vanilla to create a creamy, citrusy layer that is poured over the crust. Baking the assembled bars for 30 minutes sets the lemon-cream cheese mixture.
The finished bars offer a contrast between the sturdy, slightly sweet crust and the silky tart filling with bright lemon flavor. Chilling the bars after baking ensures they firm up enough for clean slicing. A light dusting of powdered sugar on top adds a subtle sweetness and visual appeal.
This dessert suits summer gatherings or anytime a citrus dessert is desired. Bars can be cut into squares and served chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing treat.
The recipe notes suggest adding lemon zest for extra citrus punch and adjusting baking times if the filling isn't fully set after the prescribed time. Tent the edges with foil if they brown too quickly during baking.
Ingredients
for the crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter chilled and cut into small cubes, 2 sticks
for the filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup flour
- ¾ cups lemon fresh-squeezed juice
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar plus more for topping
- 6 egg large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x13 inch pan with foil or parchment with plenty of overhang around the edges to lift the bars out of the pan before cutting.
- Prepare the crust by combining flour, sugars, salt, and butter cubes in a food processor or blender. Cover and pulse until fine crumbs form. (You can also do this with a pastry cutter, fork, or with your fingers in a large bowl.)
- Press crust into prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes while you prepare the filling.
- Prepare the filling by combining cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl. Cream together until smooth. Mix in flour, powdered sugar, lemon juice, eggs, and vanilla until completely incorporated.
- Pour filling over crust and return to oven for 30 minutes.
- Allow to cool for about 20 minutes, then cover and transfer chill in the fridge 4 hours or overnight. Lift the foil edges to remove the bars from the pan, slice into squares, sprinkle with additional powdered sugar, and serve.
Notes
- Add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to the filling for intensified lemon flavor.
- If after the given baking time the filling isn’t set, bake additional 5-10 minute increments until firm.
- Cover the edges with foil if browning too much before the center sets to prevent burning.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 20servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 316 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 316kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 62mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 221mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 63mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 32g | 64% |
| Vitamin A | 630IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 26mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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