Cheesecake Lemon Bars
Cheesecake Lemon Bars are a vibrant and refreshing dessert that combines a creamy lemon cheesecake filling atop a buttery graham cracker crust. Perfect for any occasion, these bars offer a delightful balance of tangy and sweet flavors that will make you the star of your next gathering. Each bite melts in your mouth while leaving you with a burst of citrus goodness. Whether chilled or at room temperature, they are sure to impress friends and family alike.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup granulated sugar (divided)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 3 large eggs
- 2 large lemons (juiced and zested)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press into the bottom of an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Bake crust for about 10 minutes until golden brown; let cool slightly.
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese with remaining sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in lemon juice, zest, baking powder, and vanilla.
- Pour filling over the crust and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are set but center jiggles slightly.
- Cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (60g)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: For an extra flavor twist, substitute half of the lemon juice with lime juice or orange juice. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or freeze for up to three months.