Lemon Cheesecake Bars are creamy, tangy, and sweet with a buttery crust—perfect for dessert or gatherings. 🍋🧀
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ½ cup melted butter
For the lemon cheesecake filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sour cream
Optional topping
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Lemon slices or whipped cream
Instructions
1. Preheat oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the crust
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
- Press firmly into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake 8–10 minutes, then let cool slightly.
3. Prepare the filling
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time and mix well.
- Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and sour cream until creamy.
4. Bake
- Pour the filling over the crust.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until the center is set but slightly jiggly.
5. Chill
- Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate at least 3 hours.
6. Slice and serve
- Lift out using parchment paper and cut into bars.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
💡 Tips
- Add extra lemon zest for a stronger citrus flavor.
- Use shortbread cookies instead of graham crackers for a richer crust.
- Chill overnight for the best texture.
If you want, I can also give you a 5-ingredient lemon cheesecake bar recipe that’s much faster and very popular for quick desserts. 🍋🧁
