Oh my goodness, let me tell you about these lemon cream cheese bars! They’re like a sunny hug on a plate—seriously! The moment you take a bite, you’re greeted with the most delightful blend of creamy filling and a buttery, crumbly crust that’s just to die for. I remember the first time I made them; the whole house smelled like a lemon grove, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. They’re perfect for gatherings, or honestly, just to treat yourself after a long day. You know those days when you need a little pick-me-up? These bars are exactly that! With each bite, you get a burst of zesty lemon flavor that dances on your tongue. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked! They’re a great way to brighten any occasion, and they’re so easy to whip up. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients for Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
To create these delightful lemon cream cheese bars, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature, especially the cream cheese and butter, for that perfectly creamy texture. Trust me, it makes a difference!
How to Prepare Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Preheat the Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because starting with a hot oven ensures your bars bake evenly and get that lovely golden color. Trust me, you don’t want to skip this!
Prepare the Crust
In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. Then, add 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the dry mixture until it looks crumbly. It should have that lovely sandy texture! Now, press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking dish. Make sure it’s even—this will be your delicious base!
Bake the Crust
Pop that crust into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden. You’ll know it’s ready when it starts to smell amazing and has a slight color change. Just don’t let it get too dark; we want it to be perfect for our creamy topping!
Make the Cream Cheese Filling
While the crust is baking, let’s whip up the filling! In a separate bowl, beat together 8 oz of softened cream cheese and 1 cup of granulated sugar until it’s smooth and creamy—oh, it’s so good already! Then, add in 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp of lemon zest, and 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined and silky!
Combine and Bake
Once your crust is done, carefully pour the cream cheese mixture over the baked crust. Spread it evenly, and then pop it back into the oven. Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until the filling is set but still has a slight jiggle in the center. This is where the magic happens!
Cooling and Serving
After baking, remove your bars from the oven and let them cool in the dish. Then, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting them into squares. Patience is key here—the chilling really allows those flavors to meld beautifully. Enjoy your lemony treats!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright, zesty flavor that’s simply irresistible
- Creamy filling paired with a buttery, crumbly crust
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a sweet treat at home
- Can be made ahead of time for convenience
- Kid-friendly and sure to please the whole family
Tips for Success
To ensure your lemon cream cheese bars turn out absolutely perfect, I’ve got a few handy tips for you! First, always use fresh lemons for their juice and zest—trust me, the flavor is unbeatable compared to bottled options. Also, make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature; this will help you achieve that smooth, creamy filling. When mixing the crust, don’t overwork it; just combine until crumbly. And remember, let those bars chill for at least 2 hours in the fridge before cutting. This helps them set beautifully! Enjoy every delicious bite!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional information for each serving of these delightful lemon cream cheese bars. Keep in mind that these values can vary based on specific ingredients used, so treat them as a guideline:
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 10g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Fiber: 1g
These bars are a sweet treat, but they pack a punch of flavor without overloading on calories. Enjoy them as part of a balanced diet!
FAQ About Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Can I use a different type of cheese? Absolutely! You can try using mascarpone or ricotta for a different flavor profile, but cream cheese gives the best texture.
How do I store leftovers? Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They’re even better the next day!
Can I freeze these bars? Yes, you can freeze them! Just wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
What can I use instead of fresh lemon juice? If you’re in a pinch, bottled lemon juice will work, but fresh lemons really elevate the flavor!
How should I serve them? A light dusting of powdered sugar on top adds a lovely touch. You can also pair them with fresh berries or whipped cream for an extra treat!
Z nadrukami
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars That Brighten Your Day Instantly
- Całkowity Czas: 1 hour
- Ustępować: 16 bars 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Delicious lemon cream cheese bars with a creamy filling and a buttery crust.
Składniki
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour and powdered sugar, then cut in butter until crumbly.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the baked crust.
- Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until set.
- Let cool, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares.
Uwagi
- Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
- Store bars in the refrigerator.
- Dust with additional powdered sugar before serving if desired.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 45 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 bar
- Kalorie: 180
- Cukier: 15g
- Sód: 150mg
- Kwasy: 10g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 6g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 3g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 18g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Słowa kluczowe: lemon cream cheese bars, dessert, lemon bars, cheesecake bars
