Description
Zesty lemon bars with cream cheese create a tangy-sweet dessert that dances between creamy and bright. Silky smooth filling nestled on a buttery graham cracker crust promises pure bliss for you to savor with every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 large eggs
- 34 cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
Crust Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 12 cup granulated sugar
- 12 teaspoon salt
Finishing Ingredients:
- 14 cup flour
- 13 cup powdered sugar, plus more for topping
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Craft a buttery foundation by blending flour, sugar, and salt into a crumbly texture, ensuring even distribution of chilled butter pieces throughout the mixture.
- Transform the crumb mixture into a compact, golden layer by pressing firmly into the baking dish, creating a sturdy base that will support the luscious topping.
- Whip the cream cheese until silky smooth, gradually incorporating sugar and flour to develop a luxurious, velvety consistency that will form the rich cream cheese backdrop.
- Infuse the cream cheese mixture with bright, zesty lemon juice, complemented by the subtle sweetness of powdered sugar, then fold in eggs and vanilla to create a harmonious, creamy filling.
- Gently cascade the lemony cream cheese mixture over the pre-baked golden crust, ensuring complete and even coverage across the entire surface.
- Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven, allowing the filling to set and transform into a delicate, wobble-free canvas with a subtle golden sheen.
- Permit the bars to cool completely, enabling the layers to solidify and develop their full flavor profile and structural integrity.
- Provide a final flourish by dusting the cooled bars with a delicate veil of powdered sugar, creating an elegant and inviting presentation that hints at the delightful flavors within.
Notes
- Select premium, fresh lemons for the most vibrant, zesty flavor that transforms the entire dessert.
- Ensure cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature to prevent lumpy filling and achieve ultra-smooth texture.
- Chill bars completely before cutting to get clean, precise edges and prevent crumbly, messy slices.
- Experiment with adding lemon zest directly into filling for an intense, bright citrus punch that elevates the overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg