Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars are a true family favorite. My mom made these for years when we were growing up and we all loved them. The luscious, creamy bar cookies took center stage at every family reunion, every picnic, and every weekend lake trip and they were always the first thing to be devoured. I like them more than traditional lemon bars because they’re much creamier and more like cheesecake. The buttery crust layer and crumble on top complement the light, fluffy lemony cream cheese mixture. They’re so yummy; you will absolutely love this recipe.
Benefits of Lemon
Cooking and baking with lemons is not just delicious; there are so many health benefits too! Lemons are high in vitamin C, fiber and is known to control cholesterol and improve overall health. Of course this is a rich dessert, but everything in moderation, right?
Ingredients in these Lemon Cheesecake Bars
All you need for luscious, rich lemon cream cheese bars is six ingredients! This dessert comes together really fast. Here’s all you need:
Lemon cake mix – you can always find lemon cake mixes in the baking aisle of your grocery store. This little shortcut gives you all the flour, salt, baking soda, and other baking ingredients right in one cake mix.Vegetable oil – you could try other types of oil, or melted butter but regular vegetable oil helps give this the perfect consistency.Eggs – you’ll need one for the cakelayer and another for the cream cheese layer.Cream cheese – make sure it’s room temperature before you start to whip together your ingredients for a smooth, light texture.Lemon juice – use lemon juice from a bottle, or you can squeeze fresh lemon. Then save a little of the lemon zest to sprinkle in for an extra zingy lemony flavor.Sugar – regular white sugar works great.
Tips for the Perfect Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
These bars taste delicious cold. When we were little, our mom would pack them in a cooler and bring them to the lake. I also love them right out of the refrigerator. They are a bit more chewy when they’re cold, which I love!Make sure to grease your baking pan by spraying a light layer of cooking spray or a sheet of parchment paper.Then, to the bottom of the prepared baking dish, gently press the crust into a nice, even layer. Sometimes I find that using my fingers is the best way to get it even.Pour in the cream cheese mixture, then top with the rest of the crust in crumbles.You can get fancy and top these with raspberries or strawberries too. So delicious!When mixing the filling, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature! Cream cheese at room temperature mixes up light and fluffy with absolutely no lumps.
How to Store Lemon Dessert
Store Lemon Cream Cheese Bars covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. Serve at room temperature by allowing them to rest on the counter for about thirty minutes.
More Favorite Bar Recipes
Love this Lemon Cream Cheese Bars recipe? Here are a few of our most favorite bar cookie recipes.
Oatmeal Raspberry Crumb Bars: Soft and chewy oatmeal bars with a raspberry filling. What’s not to love?Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars: Like eating a caramel apple.. but better!Caribbean Coconut Fudge Bars: Pretty much HEAVEN in bar form. This is a recipe that was inspired by an actual dessert in the Caribbean.Coconut Lime Cheesecake Bars: Another one of our most popular “bar” recipes. Like a cross between key lime pie and coconut cream pie– in bar form. Trust me, they taste as good as they sound!Lemon Square Bars: A more traditional lemon bar recipe. Tart, tangy, oh so yummy!
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