Description
Zesty cream cheese lemon bars deliver a perfect balance of tangy citrus and rich, creamy texture. Silky smooth filling nestled on a buttery graham cracker crust promises a delightful dessert you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
Flour and Zest:
- 2 tablespoons (16 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Liquid Ingredient:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare your oven by heating it to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
- Craft the foundational crust by combining flour, softened butter, and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until the mixture becomes cohesive and crumbly.
- Transfer the crust mixture into a 9×9-inch baking dish, gently pressing and smoothing the surface to create an even, compact layer that covers the entire bottom of the pan.
- Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for a delicate golden hue that indicates it’s perfectly par-baked.
- While the crust cools, create the luscious filling by whipping cream cheese until it reaches a silky, smooth consistency without any lumps.
- Gradually incorporate granulated sugar into the cream cheese, then carefully blend in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next.
- Introduce flour, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vibrant lemon zest to the mixture, stirring until all ingredients are harmoniously combined and the filling appears uniform.
- Carefully pour the zesty filling over the pre-baked crust, using a spatula to spread it evenly and eliminate any potential air pockets.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, watching for a set filling that jiggles only slightly when gently nudged.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps prevent cracking and ensures proper texture.
- Once cooled, refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to achieve the ideal firm consistency and enhance the flavor profile.
- After chilling, slice into precise squares and serve, revealing the layers of buttery crust and tangy cream cheese filling.
Notes
- Refrigeration helps set the bars, creating a firm texture that makes cutting clean, precise squares a breeze.
- Chilling provides an opportunity to enhance the tangy lemon flavor, allowing ingredients to meld together perfectly.
- Letting the bars rest at room temperature after baking prevents cracking and ensures a smooth, creamy filling.
- Fresh lemon zest adds bright, unexpected citrus notes that elevate the classic cream cheese bar from ordinary to extraordinary.
- Powdered sugar in the crust creates a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth base that complements the zesty lemon filling beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 207 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 56 mg