Description
A bright, creamy, and easy-to-make dessert combining a buttery shortbread crust with a zesty lemon cheesecake filling. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or an afternoon treat, these bars deliver a refreshing sweet-tart balance with classic American grandma-style charm.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
¾ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed for crust, melted for filling
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
16 oz cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
In a food processor, combine 1 ½ cups flour, ½ cup sugar, and ¾ cup cold butter. Pulse until crumb forms and press into a 13×9-inch baking dish
Bake crust for 15-20 minutes until golden and firm
Let crust cool completely
Mix ½ cup sugar and ½ cup butter into 16 oz cream cheese until smooth
Stir in 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 2 eggs, and a pinch of salt
Spread filling over cooled crust
Return to oven and bake 20-25 minutes until set
Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into bars
Notes
Chill until firm for clean cuts
Use pliable plastic wrap to press over the bars when slicing freshly baked crust Substitute another citrus zest (e.g., orange or lime) for different flavors Prepare up to a day ahead and keep refrigerated
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg