Make lemon bars with cream cheese for your next dessert! Whether for your next gathering or family dinner, everyone will RAVE!
Original post: March 2012 | Updated: March 2021
I have a funny story about lemon bars. The first batch I ever made was from a box. I was newly out of college, and I had my own kitchen for the very first time. I misread the directions and added double the amount of butter, so I added 4 sticks total.
The end product was greasy and oily-lemony, but strangely delicious. I called them my Artery Cloggers. Being just out of college, money was tight so I refused to let them go to waste and I clogged up my arteries properly by finishing the entire pan Mmm!
These delicious lemon bars are so much better, even sans gobs of butter.
HOW TO MAKE LEMON BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE
STEP 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8×8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder. In a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer, mix the butter and brown sugar until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until incorporated.
STEP 2
Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Add the oats to the other half of the mixture still in the bowl. Mix well and set aside.
In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer to combine the sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, lemon juice and lemon zest until creamy. Spread over top of the pressed crumb mixture in the pan.
STEP 3
Top with the other half of the crumb mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool, cut into squares and store in refrigerator.
BEST LEMON DESSERT RECIPES
- Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake with Lemon Buttercream will knock your socks off, from the blueberry- and lemon-infused cake, through the succulent lemon curd and straight to the lemony buttercream frosting.
- This Lemon Curd is a fresh, light and lemony filling or topping that goes great on cakes, cookies, cupcakes or any baked treat!
- Lemon Ice Box Pie – The perfect compliment to the zest of lemon is the graham cracker crust. A citrus flavored cream pie is delightful and so delicious. A small slice goes a long way in flavor, it’s the perfect summer treat!
- Candied Lemon Slices are EASY to make! They make beautiful edible garnishes for baked goods and can be enjoyed as a treat, as well. Such a great way to use up lemons!
- Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars – Simplify cheesecake and pack it full of two delicious types of fruit!
- Looking for more ideas about uses for lemons? Read on for a variety of delicious ideas!
HOW TO TELL IF A LEMON IS RIPE
I have lemons on hand all the time because we never know when we’ll want to make our favorite citrus cocktail. Plus its magical juice just goes great in so many recipes. When picking them out at the grocery store, look for these attributes to make sure you are getting the juiciest, ripest ones:
- First, give it a smell. Go ahead, put it right up to your nose and smell for a strong lemony scent. The stronger the scent, the riper the fruit will be.
- The deeper yellow in color they are, the juicier they are, as well.
- The heavier it feels in your hands, the more juice is hiding inside!
- Gently squeeze it in your hands. The more give it has, the juicier it’ll be. If it is too squishy it may be past its prime, so be sure it doesn’t give too much.
RECIPE NOTES
- You should only need 2 lemons for the zest and juice in this recipe.
- Omit cream cheese completely to lighten up the dessert a bit.
- Store these bars in the fridge!
FAQ ABOUT LEMON BARS
Yes! Wrap the container tightly in foil and freeze for up to 4 months. When ready to enjoy them, allow them do thaw in the fridge overnight, cut into squares and enjoy!
Use a large, sharp chef’s knife to cut lemon bars. Wipe knife clean after each cut. If desired, cut away outer crusts.
Lemon bars should be stored in the refrigerator and will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Related Recipes
Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup oats
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8×8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder. In a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer, mix the butter and brown sugar until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until incorporated.
- Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Add the oats to the other half of the mixture still in the bowl. Mix well and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer to combine the sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, lemon juice and lemon zest until creamy. Spread over top of the pressed crumb mixture in the pan.
- Top with the other half of the crumb mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool, cut into squares and store in refrigerator.
Notes
- You should only need 2 lemons for the zest and juice in this recipe.
- Omit cream cheese completely to lighten up the dessert a bit.
- Store these bars in the fridge!
I just made these for Easter, they are sooo amazing. So happy I found this on Pinterest!
Hi Mary Beth! 1/2 cup of oats is mixed with the crumb mixture. You can find this in the printable recipe and in the blog post. It must just be hiding from you! Hope this helps.
Megan
These look very good, but I have a question. In the photo, I see oats in the crumb part, but I see no oats listed in the ingredients. Are oats supposed to be used in this recipe? If so, how much?
Strangely enough, despite my love of lemons, I've never been a huge fan of lemon bars. These, however, look scrumptious! Adding them to my list!!
haha o-my 4 sticks of butter!? But I bet they were awesome… 🙂 These bars look amazing! I love lemon bars, especially right now in the Spring when its getting warm out again!
Mmmmm… I'll have to make these for your dad for Easter! Lemon-ey bites after our Easter meal! Yum!
HAHAH! That's totally me in college. I wouldn't throw ANYTHING away. No matter how funky it tasted 🙂 Although, i do like the sound of your Artery Cloggers
Nice new version now, darling
These look AMAZING!