Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Bars: A Delightful Dessert Recipe

These lemon cream cheese bars are the perfect blend of sweet and tart, with a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that will leave you craving more. They’re surprisingly easy to make and are always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a party, bringing a dessert to a potluck, or just want a delightful treat to enjoy at home, these bars are a fantastic choice. This recipe provides detailed step-by-step instructions to ensure your lemon cream cheese bars come out perfectly every time.

## Why You’ll Love These Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

* **Perfectly Balanced Flavors:** The tangy lemon perfectly complements the rich cream cheese, creating a harmonious and irresistible flavor combination.
* **Creamy and Smooth Texture:** The cream cheese filling is incredibly smooth and melts in your mouth.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any complicated techniques.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can prepare these bars ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator, making them perfect for entertaining.
* **Versatile:** These bars can be enjoyed as a dessert, snack, or even as part of a brunch spread.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Crust:

* **All-Purpose Flour:** 1 1/2 cups (180g). Provides the structure for the crust.
* **Powdered Sugar:** 1/2 cup (60g). Adds sweetness and tenderness to the crust.
* **Salt:** 1/4 teaspoon. Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Cold Unsalted Butter:** 1/2 cup (113g), cut into small cubes. The cold butter creates flaky layers in the crust.

### For the Cream Cheese Filling:

* **Cream Cheese:** 16 ounces (450g), softened to room temperature. Essential for the creamy texture and tangy flavor.
* **Granulated Sugar:** 1 cup (200g). Sweetens the filling and helps to create a smooth texture.
* **Large Eggs:** 2. Binds the ingredients together and adds richness to the filling.
* **Lemon Juice:** 1/4 cup (60ml), freshly squeezed. Provides the signature lemon flavor.
* **Lemon Zest:** 2 teaspoons. Adds a concentrated lemon aroma and flavor.
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon. Enhances the overall flavor of the filling.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **9×13 inch Baking Pan:** The ideal size for baking these bars.
* **Parchment Paper:** To line the baking pan for easy removal of the bars.
* **Mixing Bowls:** For preparing the crust and the filling.
* **Electric Mixer:** A stand mixer or hand mixer makes creaming the butter and sugar easier.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Lemon Zester:** To zest the lemon.
* **Lemon Juicer:** To juice the lemon.
* **Rubber Spatula:** For scraping down the sides of the bowl and folding ingredients together.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. **Preheat the oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. This is crucial for a clean release and prevents sticking.
2. **Combine dry ingredients:** In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Whisking ensures the ingredients are evenly distributed and prevents lumps.
3. **Cut in the butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The mixture should have small pieces of butter visible; this is what creates the flaky texture. If using your fingers, work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
4. **Press the crust into the pan:** Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your fingers to create a firm and compact crust. A well-compacted crust will prevent it from becoming soggy.
5. **Bake the crust:** Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until it is lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.

### Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

1. **Cream the cream cheese and sugar:** In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps in the filling. Beat for several minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2. **Add the eggs:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Overmixing at this stage can incorporate too much air, which can cause the filling to puff up and then collapse. Mix just until the eggs are incorporated.
3. **Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract:** Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. The lemon zest adds a powerful lemon aroma, so don’t skip it! Make sure to zest the lemon before juicing it.

### Step 3: Assemble and Bake

1. **Pour the filling over the crust:** Pour the cream cheese filling evenly over the slightly cooled crust. Use a spatula to spread the filling to the edges of the pan, ensuring an even layer.
2. **Bake the bars:** Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are lightly golden brown. The center of the filling should still have a slight jiggle but should not be liquid. Overbaking can cause the filling to crack.
3. **Cool completely:** Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling the bars completely is essential for setting the filling and preventing them from falling apart when you cut them.
4. **Chill in the refrigerator:** Once cooled, cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, before cutting and serving. Chilling the bars makes them easier to cut and enhances the flavor.

### Step 4: Cut and Serve

1. **Lift the bars from the pan:** Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the baking pan.
2. **Cut into squares:** Cut the bars into squares using a sharp knife. For cleaner cuts, wipe the knife clean between each cut. The size of the squares is up to you, but approximately 2-inch squares are a good size.
3. **Serve and enjoy:** Serve the lemon cream cheese bars chilled. They can be enjoyed plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.

## Tips for Perfect Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

* **Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese:** This is crucial for a smooth and creamy filling. If the cream cheese is too cold, it will be difficult to cream and may result in a lumpy filling.
* **Don’t Overmix the Filling:** Overmixing the filling can incorporate too much air, causing the bars to puff up and then collapse during baking. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
* **Use Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice and Zest:** Fresh lemon juice and zest provide the best flavor. Avoid using bottled lemon juice, as it can have a slightly artificial taste.
* **Line the Baking Pan with Parchment Paper:** This makes it easy to lift the bars out of the pan and prevents them from sticking.
* **Cool Completely Before Chilling:** Cooling the bars completely before chilling is essential for setting the filling and preventing them from falling apart when you cut them.
* **Chill Thoroughly:** Chilling the bars for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, allows the filling to set completely and enhances the flavor.
* **Use a Sharp Knife for Cutting:** A sharp knife will ensure clean cuts. Wipe the knife clean between each cut to prevent the filling from sticking.
* **Optional Toppings:** Consider dusting the bars with powdered sugar, adding a drizzle of lemon glaze, or topping them with fresh berries.

## Variations

* **Berry Cream Cheese Bars:** Add fresh or frozen berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries) to the cream cheese filling before baking.
* **Lime Cream Cheese Bars:** Substitute lime juice and zest for the lemon juice and zest.
* **Orange Cream Cheese Bars:** Substitute orange juice and zest for the lemon juice and zest.
* **Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars:** Add cocoa powder to the crust or a swirl of chocolate ganache to the filling.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the crust.

## Storing Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store the lemon cream cheese bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* **Freeze:** For longer storage, you can freeze the bars. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.

## Serving Suggestions

* **Dessert:** Serve the bars as a standalone dessert.
* **Snack:** Enjoy a bar as a sweet treat during the day.
* **Brunch:** Add the bars to a brunch spread.
* **Party Platter:** Include the bars on a dessert platter for parties and gatherings.
* **Gift:** Package the bars in a decorative box as a homemade gift.

## Nutrition Information (approximate per bar)

* Calories: 250-300
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 10-12g
* Cholesterol: 70-80mg
* Sodium: 100-150mg
* Carbohydrates: 25-30g
* Sugar: 15-20g
* Protein: 3-4g

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

These lemon cream cheese bars are a delightful and easy-to-make dessert that is sure to impress. With their creamy texture, tangy lemon flavor, and simple preparation, they are the perfect treat for any occasion. Enjoy!