Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Ah, Lemon Cheesecake Bars. Imagine biting into something as zesty and creamy as these little bar-shaped delights. These beauties combine the tangy, sunshine-y goodness of lemons with the smooth, dreamy texture of cheesecake — all in a bite-sized format that makes you feel downright fancy. The real magic is how these bars walk the balance between sweet and tart, making them a delicious crowd-pleaser that’ll impress even your snootiest foodie friends. Seriously, give them a whirl. You won’t regret it!

Now, let me tell you, these bars have a bit of a reputation in my house. Picture this: a frenzied weekday evening, kids zooming around the house like caffeinated squirrels, and my husband dramatically proclaims his craving for something sweet. Enter my trusty Lemon Cheesecake Bars. I swear, I’ve single-handedly halted family chaos with these things. Now, even on the calmest weekends, they’ve become our treat of choice for family movie night. Now our regulars are the ones asking for them at every get-together, and honestly, I’m kinda owning my new cheesecake bar identity.

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Cheesecake Bars

– They’re ridiculously easy to make. If I can do it while dodging flying LEGO bricks, so can you.
– Bright, zippy lemon flavor that practically shouts “wake up!”.
– They look WAY fancier than the mess you’ll create making them.
– Perfect excuse to justify eating dessert for breakfast. (I mean, cheese + fruit counts, right?)

How to Make It

Alright, here we go! Grab a mixing bowl, warm up that oven, and let’s dive in like we’re old pals catching up over kitchen chaos. First thing, smash those graham crackers into crumbs like you’re venting a little frustration on them. Mix with melted butter until you think, “That looks buttery enough!” and press that goodness into a pan. Next, whip cream cheese until it’s as fluffy as a cloud — which might just take a song or two, so crank up some tunes! Add sugar and lemon zest. Trust me, this is not the moment to hold back on zesting! Pour this silky mix onto your crust, toss it into the oven, and do a little happy dance. In a blink (or, you know, 30 mins), you’ll be slicing into sweet sunshine.

Ingredient Notes

– Cream Cheese: It’s the heart of this recipe! Beat it like it owes you money to avoid lumps.
– Lemons: Go crazy with zest; it’s your citrus best friend that takes these bars over the edge. Also, zesting is a good workout.
– Graham Crackers: Nice to turn these babies into crumbs and wave goodbye to any pent-up feelings of the day.

Recipe Steps:

1. Crush graham crackers and mix with melted butter.
2. Press mixture into pan for the crust.
3. Beat cream cheese until fluffy.
4. Add sugar and lemon zest to cream cheese.
5. Pour mix over crust, level it off, and bake.
6. Let cool, slice, and enjoy!

What to Serve It With

Tips & Mistakes

Don’t skimp on the lemon zest, unless you’re okay with a bit of a bland vibe. Trust me, it’s what makes it pop.

Storage Tips

Ah, the art of leftovers. If you have any (which, let’s be real, might not happen), pop those bars in an airtight container and shoot them into the fridge. Cold cheesecake bars make a surprisingly awesome breakfast. If it’s morning and you want cheesecake with your coffee? Heck, who am I to judge?!

Variations and Substitutions

Playing around with swaps can be fun. Tried it with lime once, and bam, margarita vibes with less judgment. Gluten-free crackers for my GF pals? Absolutely legit. As for sugar alternatives? Go mad experimenting, but honey or maple syrup totally works with the lemony aesthetic. I skip stuff all the time — it’s chaos, but it works!

Frequently Asked Questions

Lemon Cheesecake Bars

These tangy and creamy lemon cheesecake bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a smooth cheesecake layer and a bright lemon curd finish.

No ratings yet

Rate This Yum Pin This Recipe For Later! Share The Yum On Facebook Print

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• ▢ 0.25 cups granulated sugar
• ▢ 0.333 cups unsalted butter, melted
• ▢ 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 3 large eggs
• ▢ 0.333 cups fresh lemon juice
• ▢ 1 tbsp lemon zest
• ▢ 0.25 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 0.25 cups sour cream

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, 0.25 cup sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch pan to form crust.
• Bake crust for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup sugar and beat until fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, flour, and sour cream until just combined.
• Pour cheesecake filling over cooled crust and spread evenly.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until center is set but still slightly jiggly.
• Remove from oven and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.

Notes

For best results, serve chilled and garnish with fresh lemon slices or whipped cream.