Description
Indulge in the refreshing delight of Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese for a Zesty Sweet Treat. These bars combine the bright, tangy flavor of fresh lemons with the creamy richness of cream cheese, creating an irresistible dessert thatβs perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (freshly grated)
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup butter (softened)
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from half a lemon)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C).
- In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar. Add eggs one by one until well combined.
- Gradually mix in flour, salt, lemon zest, and lemon extract until smooth.
- Spread the mixture into a greased 9Γ13-inch baking dish and bake for about 22 minutes or until lightly golden.
- For the cream cheese layer, blend softened cream cheese and butter until creamy; mix in confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and zest.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the baked crust and return to the oven for an additional 20-25 minutes until set.
- Allow cooling completely before slicing into squares.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Experiment with toppings like fresh berries or whipped cream for added flavor. Allowing bars to chill in the refrigerator enhances their taste and makes cutting easier.