Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a dreamy, tangy treat that balances creamy richness with bright citrus sparkle, then Cream Cheese Lemon Bars are the answer to your dessert cravings. These bars are a symphony of textures and flavors: a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crust topped with a silky-soft, lemony filling that hits all the right sweet and tart notes. Whether you’re prepping for a family gathering or just need a pick-me-up afternoon snack, Cream Cheese Lemon Bars are destined to become your go-to—and just wait until you see how easily they come together!
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s amazing how a handful of staple ingredients can create such a memorable treat. Each part of this recipe, from the crust to the creamy filling, depends on these essentials for taste, texture, and a beautiful palate-pleasing color.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of both crust and filling, it gives structure and that signature tender bite.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the base and balances the tanginess without overpowering the citrus flavor.
- Unsalted butter (chilled): Makes the crust rich and crumbly—don’t skip chilling, as it guarantees the best texture!
- Cream cheese (softened): Adds irresistible creaminess and a slight tang to the lemon layer, making every bite decadent.
- Fresh lemon juice: The star ingredient for that fresh punch of zesty citrus—freshly squeezed makes all the difference.
- Large eggs: Help set the filling, giving it a smooth, custardy finish and contributing to that luscious texture.
- Powdered sugar: A delicate dusting on top adds elegance and the perfect touch of sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and deepens the richness of the creamy filling.
How to Make Cream Cheese Lemon Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving overhang on two sides. This trick makes lifting out the finished bars a breeze and helps with neater slices for serving.
Step 2: Create the Crust
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and cubed chilled butter. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or even your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared pan, patting down firmly. Bake for 10 minutes, just until set—the crust will finish baking with the filling.
Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Lemon Bar Filling
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and remaining granulated sugar together until perfectly smooth and creamy. Add the fresh lemon juice, large eggs, extra flour, and vanilla extract, mixing just until everything is combined and velvety. Be careful not to overmix, as you want the filling light and luscious.
Step 4: Bake the Bars
Pour the cream cheese lemon mixture right over your partially baked crust, spreading it into an even layer. Slide the pan back into the oven and bake for another 30 minutes, or until just set in the center. The filling should be slightly jiggly but not liquid—the oven magic happens in this step!
Step 5: Cool and Chill
Let your bars cool on the counter for about 20 minutes to help them settle and prevent cracks. Then, cover and chill them in the fridge for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better). That patience pays off with the dreamiest, cleanest slices you’ll ever see.
Step 6: Slice and Serve
Once well chilled, use the parchment paper or foil overhang to lift the entire slab from the pan. Dust generously with powdered sugar, then slice into squares or rectangles. Each Cream Cheese Lemon Bar will have that perfect, eye-catching contrast of pale crust and vibrant lemon filling—truly irresistible!
How to Serve Cream Cheese Lemon Bars
Garnishes
For an elegant finishing touch, shower the tops of your Cream Cheese Lemon Bars with a snowy layer of powdered sugar just before serving. If you’re feeling fancy, a twist of lemon zest or a delicate curl of candied lemon peel adds citrusy fragrance and a pop of color.
Side Dishes
These bars absolutely shine on their own, but if you’re building a dessert spread, try pairing them with a bowl of mixed berries or a light vanilla bean ice cream. The cool, creamy flavors and fresh fruit are a wonderful match to the zippy lemon and rich cream cheese.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful by stacking bars on a tiered dessert tray for gatherings, or arrange them on a rustic wooden board alongside mini meringues and fresh mint for a picnic-ready treat. For extra dazzle, drizzle a little white chocolate or serve with espresso shots for a coffeehouse-style finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cream Cheese Lemon Bars are the perfect make-ahead treat—they keep beautifully! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The firm chill keeps the crust crisp and the filling creamy, so you can enjoy them all week long.
Freezing
If you’d like to stash some away, these bars freeze with ease. Once fully chilled and cut, layer them between sheets of parchment in an airtight container. They freeze well for up to two months. When you’re ready, just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
While Cream Cheese Lemon Bars are typically enjoyed cold or at room temperature, if you like a slightly warmer, softer texture, let them sit out for 10–15 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can affect the smoothness of the filling and soften the lovely crust.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
Fresh lemon juice gives the bars their brightest flavor and authentic zing, but in a pinch, bottled can work. Just be sure it has no additives or preservatives, as these can dull the taste.
Why does my crust come out too crumbly or dry?
Be sure your butter is chilly and cut in evenly. Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the pan before pre-baking. Measuring the flour carefully (spoon and level) also helps prevent a dry crust.
Can I make Cream Cheese Lemon Bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute your favorite one-to-one gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The texture will be slightly different, but the result is just as delicious and satisfying.
Is it okay to use a hand mixer for the filling?
Yes, a hand mixer works beautifully for combining the filling ingredients—just mix until smooth. Avoid overbeating, as that can incorporate too much air and create cracks while baking.
How do I get neat, clean slices?
The key is chilling the bars completely and using a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts. Lifting the bars out of the pan using the parchment or foil makes them easier to slice cleanly every time.
Final Thoughts
Once you try making Cream Cheese Lemon Bars, they just might earn a permanent spot in your dessert rotation. With their tempting balance of zesty brightness and creamy sweetness, they’re sure to steal the show at any occasion. Give them a whirl—you’ll love having such a crowd-pleasing favorite in your baking repertoire!
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Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 5 hours
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the tangy sweetness of these Cream Cheese Lemon Bars with a buttery crust that melts in your mouth. Perfect for citrus lovers!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (chilled)
For the Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 6 large eggs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper.
- Make the crust: Mix flour, sugar, and chilled butter until crumbly. Press into the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: Beat softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Add lemon juice, eggs, flour, and vanilla; mix until incorporated.
- Pour filling over crust: Pour the filling over the baked crust and bake for 30 minutes or until set.
- Cool and chill: Cool at room temperature for 20 minutes, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Serve: Lift out using overhang, slice into squares, and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, you can add lemon zest to the filling.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Cream Cheese Lemon Bars, Lemon Dessert, Citrus Bars
