Description
This lemon cream cheese bars recipe brings together tangy citrus and rich cream cheese in a buttery shortbread crust for an easy dessert everyone loves. These bars deliver sweet and tart flavors in every bite, making them perfect for potlucks, holidays, or a quick treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Warm your oven to precisely 350°F and grab an 8×8 inch baking pan to grease thoroughly.
- Combine 1 cup flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup softened butter in a mixing bowl. Blend until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the crumbly mixture firmly into the prepared pan, creating an even layer across the bottom.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 15 minutes until the crust looks lightly golden.
- While the crust bakes, grab another bowl and whip 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar until silky smooth.
- Crack 2 large eggs into the cream cheese mixture, then add ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and ½ tsp baking powder.
- Whisk the ingredients until they blend completely and no lumps remain.
- Pour the lemony cream cheese mixture evenly over the warm baked crust, spreading to cover every corner.
- Return the pan to the 350°F oven and bake 20-25 minutes until the filling sets and looks slightly firm.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely at room temperature for about 1 hour.
- Once cooled, slice into neat squares using a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts for clean edges.
Notes
- Chill the bars completely before cutting for clean, neat slices that hold their shape perfectly.
- For extra zesty flavor, add more lemon zest or a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the cream cheese mixture.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling that blends evenly.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend and check that all other ingredients are gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 to 10
- Calories: 263 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg