Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Recipe: A Sunny Treat

These decadent cream cheese lemon bars dance with the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, promising a dessert that melts in your mouth.

Zesty lemons burst through a creamy cream cheese filling, creating an irresistible combination that screams summer indulgence.

The buttery crust provides a delightful crunch that complements the silky smooth interior.

Each bite delivers a bright, refreshing flavor that makes these bars impossible to resist.

Packed with rich, vibrant ingredients, this dessert transforms simple pantry staples into an elegant treat.

Layers of citrusy goodness and smooth cream cheese invite you to savor every delectable moment.

You won’t be able to stop at just one of these irresistible bars.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 174 kcal

Servings: 13

Cream Cheese Lemon Bars Ingredient List

• Cream Cheese: Silky smooth foundation that creates a luxurious, tangy texture and rich mouthfeel for the bars.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps balance the cream cheese's tanginess while providing structure.
• Large Eggs: Bind ingredients together and create a smooth, custard-like consistency with perfect structure.

• Lemon Juice: Delivers bright, citrusy tang that cuts through the richness and adds vibrant freshness.
• Lemon Zest: Concentrates intense citrus oils for a more complex, aromatic lemon flavor that goes beyond simple tartness.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps stabilize the filling, preventing excessive spreading and creating a more cohesive texture.

Tools You’ll Need for Lemon Bar Recipes

• 9×9-inch baking dish: Essential for creating the perfect bar base and even baking.
• Mixing bowls: Two separate bowls needed for crust and filling preparation.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Crucial for blending cream cheese and incorporating ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure recipe success.
• Spatula: Helps spread crust and filling evenly in the baking dish.
• Zester or grater: Needed to create fresh lemon zest.
• Knife: Used for slicing bars after chilling.

Lemon Bar Baking Directions

• Buttery Foundation

Create a crumbly base by mixing soft butter with flour and powdered sugar, pressing the mixture firmly into a square baking pan. The goal is a smooth, compact layer that will support your zesty topping.

• Golden Base

Slide the pan into a warm oven and let the crust transform into a delicate golden landscape. This initial baking develops a rich, toasty flavor that will complement the tangy filling.

• Creamy Cloud Layer

Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, then blend in sugar, eggs, and bright citrus elements. The mixture should look glossy and feel light, promising a decadent texture.

• Lemon Love Transformation

Pour the luminous cream cheese mixture over the golden crust, spreading it gently to create an even blanket. Return to the oven and bake until the surface looks set and slightly firm.

• Chill and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. When ready, slice into elegant squares that reveal layers of sunshine and cream.

Ways to Adjust and Enhance Cream Cheese Lemon Bars

• Add extra lemon zest on top for a bright, citrusy punch that elevates the entire dessert's taste profile.
• These bars can be prepared up to 3 days in advance, storing perfectly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for convenient entertaining.
• Try substituting half the cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter filling that maintains incredible creaminess.
• Dust the chilled bars with powdered sugar just before serving to create a beautiful, professional bakery-style presentation that looks stunning and adds a delicate sweetness.
• Replace regular flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend to make this recipe accessible for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy these delightful lemon bars.

Cream Cheese Lemon Bar Serving Ideas

• Zesty Brunch Delight: Serve these lemon bars alongside fresh berries and a light mimosa for a refreshing weekend brunch spread that'll wow your guests.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange the bars on a beautiful white platter, dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with thin lemon slices and mint leaves for a stunning presentation.
• Picnic Perfect Treat: Pack these bars in a small container for outdoor gatherings, picnics, or potlucks – they're portable, delicious, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser with their tangy cream cheese flavor.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these bars with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea, creating a delightful sweet and citrusy combination that's perfect for a relaxed afternoon snack.

Tips for Storing Lemon Bars

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep these zesty bars in an airtight container within your refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor integrity.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert 1-2 days before serving, allowing the lemon and cream cheese flavors to meld beautifully, creating an even more delectable treat.
• Smart Slicing Strategy: Cut bars when completely cold to achieve clean, precise edges that look professionally crafted and picture-perfect for serving or sharing.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container to store up to 3 months – perfect for unexpected sweet cravings or last-minute dessert needs.

Zesty Lemon Bars Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Luscious cream cheese lemon bars combine tangy citrus with creamy richness. Quick and simple dessert promises refreshing flavor that delights palates and satisfies sweet cravings you’ll savor to the last crumb.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsps (16 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) lemon juice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) with rack centered, preparing a 9×9-inch baking dish for the lemon bar creation.
2. Create Crust Foundation: Blend flour, softened butter, and powdered sugar into a cohesive crumbly mixture, pressing evenly across the baking dish bottom to form a compact base.
3. Initial Baking Stage: Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes until achieving a delicate golden tone, then remove and allow to cool while maintaining oven temperature.
4. Craft Creamy Filling: Whip cream cheese to silky smoothness, gradually integrating granulated sugar, then eggs, ensuring each component blends seamlessly without lumps.
5. Flavor Infusion: Fold in flour, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vibrant lemon zest, mixing until the filling becomes a uniform, velvety consistency with bright citrus notes.
6. Assembly and Final Bake: Pour the zesty filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading evenly and eliminating air pockets, then return to oven for 20-25 minutes until filling sets with minimal jiggle.
7. Cooling and Setting: Remove from oven and let cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for minimum two hours to firm up and intensify flavor profile.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Slice into precise squares, revealing layers of buttery crust and tangy cream cheese filling, ready to delight taste buds with their lemony elegance.

Notes

• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate bars for at least 2 hours to set filling and intensify flavor complexity.
• Prevent Lumpy Filling: Ensure cream cheese is room temperature and whip until completely smooth before adding other ingredients.
• Zest Matters: Use fresh lemon zest for vibrant, bright citrus flavor that elevates the entire dessert’s taste profile.
• Avoid Cracking: Cool bars at room temperature first, then refrigerate to maintain silky texture and prevent surface fractures.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 174
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 72 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 46 mg