Lemon Cheesecake Bars
User Reviews
5
Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Description
This recipe begins with a graham cracker crust made from crumbs, sugar, and melted butter pressed into a pan and baked until set. The filling blends full-fat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth, then incorporates sugar, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, eggs, egg yolks, and heavy cream. The combination yields a rich and silky lemon cheesecake filling.
After preparing the crust and baking it briefly, the filling is poured over and baked at a reduced temperature until set with a slight jiggle. Once cooled, the cheesecake is chilled to firm up before slicing into bars.
The bars are flavorful with a balance of creamy richness and bright lemon notes. They can be served chilled as a dessert or snack.
These bars keep refrigerated for up to four days and can be frozen for up to two months. For freezing, cool completely, freeze uncovered until firm, then wrap tightly before long-term storage. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Ingredients
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 4 ounces unsalted butter melted
For the Lemon Cheesecake Bars:
- 3 (8 ounce) cream cheese very soft, full-fat
- 1 cup sour cream at room temperature, full-fat
- 1 and /3 granulated sugar cups
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 large egg at room temperature
- 2 large egg at room temperature, yolk
- 1/3 cup heavy cream at room temperature
- 1/2 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, allowing two of the sides to overlap (you want an overhang of at least 2-inches on two sides) and spray lightly with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter and, using a rubber spatula, mix well to combine. Press the mixture into the bottom - and slightly up the sides - of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and set aside on a cooling rack until needed.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees (F).
For the Lemon Cheesecake Bars:
- In the body of a high power blender, food processor, stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or in a large bowl using a hand held electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sour cream until completely smooth.
- Add sugar and lemon zest and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides and bottom of bowl as needed. On low speed, add in the eggs and yolks and beat until just combined. Don't over mix here!
- Using a rubber spatula, fold in the heavy cream. Fold in the lemon juice, mixing just until combined.
- Pour filling on top of prepared crust, and spread evenly.
- Check to ensure your oven has cooled to 325°F, then place the pan in the oven and bake for 38 to 40 minutes, or until the edges have set and the middle is still a little jiggly. The cheesecake will firm up a lot as they cool.
- Remove the bars from the oven, and cool at room temperature for one hour. Then refrigerate for at least 5 hours, or overnight.
- When you're ready to serve: use the foil overhang to lift the cheesecake bars from the pan and transfer them to a cutting board. Using a large, sharp knife, slice the slab into squares, wiping the knife clean with a damp cloth between slices. Top with lemon slices, if desired. Serve at once.
Notes
- Store lemon cheesecake bars refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Freeze bars up to 2 months by cooling, freezing uncovered until firm, then wrapping and sealing.
- Thaw frozen bars overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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