Best 7 Easy Lemon Cheese Bars Recipes

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Lemon cheese bars are a delightful treat that combines the tanginess of lemon with a smooth and creamy cheese filling, all nestled in a buttery shortbread crust. With their vibrant yellow color and irresistible aroma, these bars are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy dessert to whip up for a weeknight treat or something special to serve at a brunch or potluck, lemon cheese bars are the perfect choice. With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create these delectable bars that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you craving more.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

LEMON CREAM CHEESE BARS



Lemon Cream Cheese Bars image

Nothing brings a recipe to life like fresh lemons! For a change of pace from the standard Southern-style lemon bars, you need to look no further! This recipe is easy and the taste is divine. I have also made this with Splenda® and low-fat cream cheese and they were just as wonderful.

Provided by Pamela Souza LeBlanc

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Lemon Dessert Recipes

Time 2h5m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 7

cooking spray
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury® Recipe Creations®), divided
2 lemons, zested and juiced, divided
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
½ cup white sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons white sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
  • Press 1 can crescent roll dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, stretching to the edges.
  • Mix the zest of 1 1/2 lemons and juice from 2 lemons together in a bowl. Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar into lemon zest mixture using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy; spread over crescent roll dough layer.
  • Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and layer over cream cheese mixture, gently stretching dough to the edges. Brush melted butter over crescent roll dough layer. Mix remaining lemon zest and 3 tablespoons sugar together in a bowl; sprinkle over butter.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes. Lift dessert from baking dish using foil; transfer to a cutting board. Cut into squares, leaving on foil. Return dessert to the baking dish and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 171.1 calories, Carbohydrate 14.6 g, Cholesterol 23.1 mg, Fat 11.5 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.7 g, Sodium 209 mg, Sugar 7.1 g

EASY LEMON CHEESECAKE BARS



Easy Lemon Cheesecake Bars image

Provided by Kelly Senyei

Time 4h25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

Cooking spray
1 1/2 cups finely crushed graham crackers
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, at room temp
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil then grease it with cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the crushed graham crackers and melted butter. Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and press it firmly into an even layer.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla extract until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition, then pour the cheesecake mixture atop the crust, spreading it into an even layer.
  • Bake the cheesecake for 20 to 25 minutes until the center is almost set.
  • Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let them cool completely before covering the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerating the cheesecake for 3 hours.
  • Remove the cheesecake from the fridge, slice it into bars and serve.
  • ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 246 kcal, Carbohydrate 18 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 17 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Cholesterol 76 mg, Sodium 206 mg, Sugar 12 g, ServingSize 1 serving

LEMON BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING



Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting image

I won a baking contest at Purdue University with this recipe for lemon bars with cream cheese frosting. I think you'll love the dreamy topping. -Michael Hunter, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons lemon extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and extract. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in lemon zest., Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until center is set and edges are golden brown. Cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and zest. Frost top and cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 243 calories, Fat 11g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 59mg cholesterol, Sodium 145mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (27g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.

EASY LEMON CHEESECAKE BARS



Easy Lemon Cheesecake Bars image

Make and share this Easy Lemon Cheesecake Bars recipe from Food.com.

Provided by angelfan

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 40m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 yellow cake mix with pudding
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

Steps:

  • Mix together dry cake mix, 1 egg and the oil, until crumbly.
  • Set aside 1 cup of this mixture.
  • Pat remaining mixture into bottom of ungreased 9x13 pan.
  • Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from oven.
  • In bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and remaining egg until smooth.
  • Spread over baked crumb mixture.
  • Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over that.
  • Return to oven for 15 minutes.
  • Cool in fridge and cut into bars.

LEMON CHEESE BARS



Lemon Cheese Bars image

Cake mix speeds along the crust and topping for these special squares shared by Janie Dennis of Evansville, Indiana. With just a handful of ingredients, the bars are so easy to assemble. Priced at 11 cents each, they're economical, too.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
2 eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon lemon extract

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, one egg and oil until crumbly. Set aside 1 cup for topping. Press the remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until golden brown., In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in the sugar, extract and remaining egg until smooth. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. , Bake for 25-30 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 134 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 22mg cholesterol, Sodium 135mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.

EASY LEMON CHEESECAKE BARS



Easy Lemon Cheesecake Bars image

Lemon cheesecake crescent bars.

Provided by Art Araya

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Bar Cookie Recipes     Cheesecake Bar Recipes

Time 4h10m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury®)
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
½ cup white sugar
½ (21 ounce) can Lemon Pie Filling
1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon white sugar, or to taste
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, or to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Unroll both pieces of crescent dough. Lay one piece on the bottom of the prepared pan. Set second piece aside.
  • Combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup white sugar in a bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Mix in lemon pie filling, lemon zest and juice, and vanilla extract. Pour over crescent dough in the baking pan and cover with the second piece of dough. Pour melted butter over top and sprinkle with remaining white sugar.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack until completely cool, about 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
  • Dust with confectioners' sugar and cut into 24 bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 220.5 calories, Carbohydrate 22.2 g, Cholesterol 41.7 mg, Fat 13.3 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 3.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.5 g, Sodium 212.3 mg, Sugar 14.5 g

EASY CHEESY LEMON BARS



Easy Cheesy Lemon Bars image

Make and share this Easy Cheesy Lemon Bars recipe from Food.com.

Provided by emcglone1979

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 50m

Yield 35 bars

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (18 ounce) package lemon cake mix
1/2 cup melted butter
1 egg, slightly beaten
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 (16 ounce) container lemon frosting
1 egg
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Steps:

  • Bottom:
  • Combine cake mix, butter, and egg. Mix with fork until moistened.
  • Set aside 1 cup of mix.
  • Grease bottom only of 9x13 pan.
  • Pat mix into it.
  • Top:
  • Mix 3/4 container frosting (about 1 1/4 cups) with rest of cake mix, egg, cream cheese, and lemon juice.
  • Beat 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Spread over cake mixture.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • When cool, spread top with remaining frosting.
  • Store in refrigerator. Bars cool easier when chilled.

Tips:

  • Prep Your Ingredients: Before starting, measure and prep all your ingredients to ensure smooth and efficient baking.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring your cream cheese, butter, and eggs to room temperature for even mixing and a creamier texture.
  • Cream Cheese Consistency: If your cream cheese is too cold, microwave it for a few seconds to soften it slightly, making it easier to mix.
  • Lemon Zest and Juice: Use fresh lemons for the best flavor. Finely grate the zest and squeeze the juice for a vibrant citrus taste.
  • Do Not Overmix: Once you add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mix only until combined. Overmixing can result in a tough crust.
  • Chill Before Baking: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps the crust set and prevents it from spreading too much in the oven.
  • Bake Until Golden Brown: Keep an eye on the bars while they bake. The edges should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
  • Cool Completely: Let the bars cool completely before cutting and serving. This allows the filling to set and the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion:

With its delightful combination of tangy lemon and creamy cheese, this classic Lemon Cheese Bars recipe is a sure-fire hit. Whether you're hosting a brunch, potluck, or simply craving a sweet treat, these bars offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Remember the tips mentioned above to ensure a successful baking experience. Enjoy the burst of citrusy goodness in every bite, and share the joy of these delectable bars with your loved ones!

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