Description
Fresh Lemon Cheesecake Squares bring zesty sunshine right to your dessert plate. Creamy, tangy slices deliver pure happiness with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Layer:
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 egg
Lemon Layer:
- 4 extra-large eggs
- 1 ⅔ cups white sugar
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the sides.
- Combine 1 cup flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, ¼ cup sugar, ½ cup butter, and 2 tablespoons lemon zest in a mixing bowl. Blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the crumbly mixture firmly into the prepared pan, creating an even bottom layer. Bake for exactly 15 minutes until the edges turn light golden.
- Remove the crust from the oven, but keep the oven temperature constant. Let the crust cool slightly while preparing the next layer.
- In a separate bowl, beat 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with ½ cup sugar for 3-4 minutes until completely smooth.
- Add 1 egg to the cream cheese mixture and blend until fully incorporated. Spread this layer gently over the warm crust.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cream cheese layer slightly sets.
- Whisk 4 extra-large eggs with 1⅔ cups sugar, ⅔ cup flour, and ⅔ cup fresh lemon juice until thoroughly combined.
- Carefully pour the lemon mixture over the cream cheese layer, trying not to disturb the previous layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a set center that doesn’t jiggle when gently shaken.
- Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
- Refrigerate the pan for at least 3 hours or overnight to help the layers firm up completely.
- Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire dessert from the pan. Slice into 16 precise squares using a sharp knife.
- Optional: Dust the top with powdered sugar just before serving for a delicate finishing touch.
Notes
- Always use room temperature cream cheese to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling that blends perfectly.
- Zest your lemons before juicing them to capture maximum citrus flavor and brighten the entire dessert.
- Line your pan with parchment paper that hangs over the sides, making it super easy to lift and slice the squares cleanly.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with almond flour or a certified gluten-free baking blend to keep the same delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes - 1 hour
- Category: Cheesecakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 258
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 74 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 96 mg