Description
Tangy lemon cream cheese bars combine a buttery crust with a creamy layer and bright lemon topping for an easy, sliceable citrus dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Layer
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment.
- Press crust mixture into pan; bake 14–16 minutes.
- Beat cream cheese layer; spread over warm crust.
- Whisk lemon layer; pour on top.
- Bake 22–28 minutes; cool and chill 2 hours before slicing.
Notes
- Crust swap: Use 1 1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafers + 6 tablespoons melted butter.
- Make-ahead: Best made the day before for clean slices.
- Tools: 8×8-inch pan, parchment, mixer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American