These lemon cream cheese bars have a buttery and flakey crust with a creamy lemon top! This recipe is simple to make and just screams Spring. Let's make these lemon cream cheese bars together!
All things Spring are in full swing. We have officially made it to Spring! What a relief that is. I see blooming flowers down the road and pots filled with pansies of many different colors. This time of year, is oh so beautiful!
Although, one of my favorite things about Spring is the flavors of baked goods. Baked good flavors in the Spring are so light and refreshing. From lemon coconut cookies, and strawberries and cream sourdough cookies, and these lemon cream cheese bars.
Now, I love a good classic lemon bar. They have a gooey texture, and the natural lemon flavor is so refreshing. Although, I had a thought, "what if we would add cream cheese into a lemon bar?" I wanted to transform a normal lemon bar into a lemon cheesecake kind of texture. And that is exactly how they got!
I love how simple this dessert is to make but one of my favorite things about them is that they are light and refreshing. You won't feel sick or have a heavy feeling after having this sweet treat!
These lemon cream cheese bars are light, refreshing, and full of so much good Spring flavor. Don't forget to save this recipe so you can come back to it again! Now let's make these lemon cream cheese bars together.
More Spring Desserts
If you love Spring baking and want some more light and refreshing recipes just like these lemon cream cheese bars, check out some of these recipes by Brick House on Green!
Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Cookies
Homemade Blueberry Sweet Rolls
Why You Will Love These Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Simple - While these lemon cream cheese bars are a small labor of love, it is a simple recipe to follow. There are no unique steps in this recipe. Think of making a basic lemon bar but adding in an ingredient!
Refreshing - The first time I tried this dessert they were so light and refreshing. I left eating one feeling good and not dragged down by too much sweetness or heaviness. This dessert isexactly what you need on a Spring Day!
Texture - The texture of these bars is like no other. The lemon topping is so creamy, but the shortbread crust is buttery and flakey. A lovely texture combination!
FAQs
Can you mix lemon and cream cheese?
The two main ingredients in these bars are lemon and cream cheese When you combine these two ingredients together, the cream cheese helps to balance the tangy flavors of the lemon and provides the bars with a creamy texture.
Why are my lemon bars rubbery?
Lemon bars end up getting a rubbery taste when they are overbaked. Take the lemon bars out of the oven when you jiggle the pan, and the middle has a slight jiggle to it. The same as when you take a cheesecake out of the oven.
Do bars with cream cheese need to be refrigerated?
Yes, any baked good that contains cream cheese does need to be refrigerated. Before closing up the lemon bars in Tupperware and placing them in the fridge, make sure they are completely cooled.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Cream Cheese Topping
All-Purpose Flour
Eggs
Granulated Sugar
Lemon Juice - You can use lemon juice concentrate from the store. Although I have found that fresh lemon juice provides a flavor like no other.
Lemon Zest - Zesting a lemon is so easy with this handheld zester.
Cream Cheese
For the Shortbread Crust
Butter - melted
Powdered Sugar
All-Purpose Flour
Baking Powder
Tools You May Need
9x13 Baking Dish
Large Mixing Bowl
Handheld Mixer or Stand Mixer
Rubber Spatula
How to Make Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Step-by-Step
To start, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with a bit of butter or oil. This will help prevent the lemon bars sticking to the bottom of the pan. Set the greased baking dish aside.
In a small saucepan, add in the 2 sticks of butter and allow them to melt over low-medium heat.
To a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the melted butter and powdered sugar. Once the butter and sugar are combined, sift in the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Beat again until fully combined. The mixture may be a bit crumbly and that is normal!
Dump the shortbread mixture in the bottom of the greased 9x13 dish and press it down with clean hands until evenly dispersed throughout the dish. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven.
While the crust is baking, beat the block of cream cheese until smooth.
To the beaten cream cheese, add the eggs and beat well. Then add in the granulated sugar, flour, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
Spread this mixture over the baked crust and place back in the oven for 20-30 minutes or until the center just barely jiggles.
Allow to cool before dusting with powdered sugar, cutting in squares, and serving. Enjoy!
Storing Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
In the Refrigerator
To store these lemon cream cheese bars, allow them to get to room temperature completely before placing in a Tupperware container or plastic bag and storing them in the fridge. If stored correctly, lemon bars can last up to a week in the fridge!
In the Freezer
Good news! You can also freeze these lemon cream cheese bars! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or put into a Ziploc bag before placing in the freezer. They can be stored in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. When wanting to eat, thaw them in the fridge first.
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
These lemon cream cheese bars are creamy, smooth, and have a buttery crust! The flavor is similar to a basic lemon bar but think cheesecake texture. This is a perfect Spring dessert!
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust
- 1 Cup butter, melted
- 1 Cup powdered sugar
- 2 Cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
For the Lemon Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 Ounce block cream cheese
- 4 eggs
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Zest of 2 lemons
Instructions
- To start, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13 baking dish with a bit of butter. Set aside.
- To a large mixing bowl, add in the melted butter and powdered sugar. Beat together until fully combined.
- To the melted butter and sugar, add in the 2 cups all-purpose flour and baking soda. Mix until fully combined.
- Dump this mixture into the greased 9x13 baking dish and using clean hands, press down into the dish until evenly dispersed.
- Bake the crust for 15 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, let's make the lemon filling.
- Start by beating the cream cheese until smooth.
- To the cream cheese, add in the 4 eggs and beat until fully combined.
- Then, add in the sugar, flour, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beating again until fully combined. It is okay if it a bit lumpy.
- Pour the lemon cream cheese mixture over the baked crust and bake for another 20-30 minutes. You know the bars are done when the center just barely jiggles. The same way you would test to see if a cheesecake is done!
- Let cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and enjoy!
More From Brick House on Green
The Best Oven Baked Sourdough Fried Chicken
The Best Soft and Fluffy Lemon Coconut Cookies
Easy Homemade Egg Salad Sandwich
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