Indulge in the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and buttery flavors with these Easy Cheesecake Lemon Bars! Featuring a crisp, homemade shortbread crust topped with a luscious lemon-infused cheesecake layer, this dessert is a delightful twist on classic lemon bars. Made with fresh lemon juice, fragrant lemon zest, and velvety cream cheese, these bars deliver a burst of citrus freshness in every bite. Ready in just under an hour with a simple prep process, they’re an ideal treat for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. Perfect for spring gatherings, potlucks, or a refreshing after-dinner dessert, these lemon bars are guaranteed to impress. Serve chilled and dusted with powdered sugar for a bakery-worthy finish!
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 3/4 cup of unsalted butter (cubed). Use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press the shortbread mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar together using a hand or stand mixer until smooth and creamy.
Add the eggs one at a time to the cream cheese mixture, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Pour the cheesecake lemon filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggles in the center.
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until fully chilled.
Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and place them on a cutting board. Cut into 12 squares or desired portions.
Before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy your creamy, zesty cheesecake lemon bars!
Serving size | 895.2 grams (895.2g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 3066 |
Total Fat 163.30g | 209% |
Saturated Fat 93.10g | 465% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g | |
Cholesterol 809mg | 270% |
Sodium 893mg | 39% |
Total Carbohydrate 375.30g | 136% |
Dietary Fiber 6.20g | 22% |
Total Sugars 226.10g | |
Protein 46.20g | 92% |
Vitamin D 80IU | 400% |
Calcium 346mg | 27% |
Iron 11mg | 62% |
Potassium 685mg | 15% |
Source of Calories