Lemon cream cheese bars –Today, I’m excited to share a delightful recipe for Easy Lemon Cream Cheese Bars. These bars are perfect for a sunny afternoon or any gathering where you want to impress your friends and family with a delicious dessert. With a creamy lemon filling and a buttery crust, these treats are irresistible!
Easy Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Let’s start by gathering all the ingredients you’ll need for this refreshing dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour and powdered sugar. Add the softened butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a crust.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until it’s lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
- In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and baking powder. Mix until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the baked crust, spreading it evenly. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the filling is set and lightly browned around the edges.
- Once baked, remove the dessert from the oven and let it cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Once cool, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Cut into bars and dust with powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy your refreshing lemon cream cheese bars!
These Easy Lemon Cream Cheese Bars are a summery delight that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Enjoy making and sharing them with your loved ones!