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Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Recipe – Tangy & Creamy Dessert

Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Recipe – Tangy & Creamy Dessert

Description

Welcome to our kitchen! Today, we’re sharing a delightful recipe for Lemon Cream Cheese Bars, a perfect treat that blends the zesty tang of lemons with the rich, creamy goodness of cream cheese. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer dessert or a crowd-pleasing sweet, these lemon bars will hit the spot. If you love citrus-based desserts, this Lemon Cream Cheese Bars recipe will quickly become one of your favorites!

Ingredients

Scale
  • Cooking spray – to prevent sticking
  • 2 (8-ounce) packages of refrigerated crescent roll dough (like Pillsbury® Recipe Creations®) – divided into two sections for the crust and topping
  • 2 lemons, zested and juiced, divided – for that bright, tangy lemon flavor
  • 2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened – the base for the creamy filling
  • ½ cup white sugar – to sweeten the filling

Substitutions:

  • For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free crescent roll dough.
  • Swap out sugar with a sugar substitute like stevia for a reduced-calorie version.

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 2:
Unroll one package of crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of the prepared dish to form the crust.

Step 3:
In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and the juice from one lemon until smooth and creamy. Spread this mixture over the crescent dough in the baking dish.

Step 4:
Zest one lemon and sprinkle it evenly over the cream cheese mixture for an extra burst of flavor.

Step 5:
Unroll the second package of crescent roll dough and carefully place it on top of the cream cheese layer, covering it completely.

Step 6:
In a small bowl, combine the remaining lemon zest with a bit of sugar and sprinkle over the top layer of dough. This gives the bars a nice, crunchy topping.

Step 7:
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.

Tip: For an even more intense lemon flavor, add more lemon zest or a bit of lemon extract to the cream cheese mixture.

Equipment

Notes

  • Use fresh lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest give these bars a bright, authentic flavor. Avoid bottled lemon juice, which can be too acidic and lacking in flavor.
  • Chill before serving: For clean, easy-to-cut squares, allow the bars to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour after cooling.
  • Try a crumb topping: If you want to add some texture, consider adding a streusel or crumb topping made from oats, sugar, and butter.

Find it online: https://optimalrecipes.com/lemon-cream-cheese-bars-recipe-tangy-creamy-dessert/