Cream Cheese Lemon Bars
Bright, tangy, and irresistibly creamy, these Cream Cheese Lemon Bars are the ultimate fusion of rich decadence and citrusy freshness! Featuring a buttery, golden shortbread crust topped with a luscious cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk filling, this dessert is elevated with the zing of fresh lemon juice and fragrant zest. Perfectly balanced and baked to perfection, the bars are finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for that delicate, sweet touch. With just 25 minutes of prep, these lemon bars are a delightful crowd-pleaser for any occasion, from casual brunches to elegant dinner parties. Serve them chilled for a refreshing sweetness that melts in your mouth!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 226 grams unsalted butter
- 260 grams all-purpose flour
- 200 grams granulated sugar
- 225 grams cream cheese, softened
- 396 grams sweetened condensed milk
- 3 units large eggs
- 120 milliliters fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 15 grams powdered sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Line it with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the butter (softened) and 50 grams of sugar using a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
Gradually mix in the flour to form a crumbly dough. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the shortbread crust.
Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
In another mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 150 grams of sugar and beat until well combined.
Mix in the sweetened condensed milk, then beat in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest, ensuring everything is well incorporated.
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the slightly cooled crust, spreading it evenly.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is set and slightly jiggles when the pan is gently shaken.
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to fully set.
Once chilled, use the parchment paper edges to lift the bars out of the dish. Dust the top with powdered sugar, slice into squares, and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
485 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 26.3 g | 34% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.9 g | 79% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 121 mg | 40% | |
| Sodium | 118 mg | 5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 55.7 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.7 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 37.7 g | ||
| Protein | 7.7 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 121 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 1.3 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 185 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
