Description
These Lemon Cream Cheese Bars offer a delightful combination of tangy lemon and creamy cheesecake filling on a buttery graham cracker crust. Perfectly balanced in sweetness and zest, they make a refreshing dessert or snack that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping (optional)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
- Make the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir the mixture thoroughly until it becomes crumbly and well mixed.
- Form and bake the crust: Press the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to beat the softened cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy.
- Add remaining filling ingredients: Add ½ cup sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and salt to the cream cheese. Beat everything together until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the cream cheese filling evenly over the cooled graham cracker crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the center is mostly set but still has a slight jiggle when gently shaken.
- Cool and chill: Allow the bars to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set properly before cutting into squares.
- Serve: Just before serving, optionally dust the bars with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh lemon juice and zest.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Chilling the bars helps them set and makes cutting easier.
- Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can substitute graham cracker crumbs with digestive biscuits or similar crunchy cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 2x2 inch square)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Lemon Cream Cheese Bars, Lemon Bars, Cheesecake Bars, Easy Dessert, Lemon Dessert, No Crust Cheesecake
