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    Home » Dessert » Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Recipe

    Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Recipe

    Published: Mar 5, 2021 · Modified: Jun 9, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Make lemon bars with cream cheese for your next dessert! Whether for your next gathering or family dinner, everyone will RAVE!

    plate stacked high with lemon bars with cream cheese

    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.

    crust pressed into pan, sitting next to mixing bowl with sugar and oatmeal

    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.

    lemon cream mixture in baking dish next to oatmeal mixture in a bowl

    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.

    top view of crumbly bars sitting next to lemons

    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.
    lemon crumble bars stacked on a teal plate, sitting next to 2 lemons

    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

    CAN LEMON BARS BE FROZEN

    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!

    HOW TO CUT LEMON BARS

    Use a large, sharp chef’s knife to cut lemon bars. Wipe knife clean after each cut. If desired, cut away outer crusts.

    HOW LONG DO LEMON BARS LAST

    Lemon bars should be stored in the refrigerator and will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

    Related Recipes

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    • Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe
    • Pumpkin Pie Bars Recipe
    • No Bake Leftover Halloween Candy Dessert Bars
    • The BEST Banana Bars Recipe
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    Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Recipe

    Make lemon bars with cream cheese for your next dessert! Whether for your next gathering or family dinner, everyone will RAVE!
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 330kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    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!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 278mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 453IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
    « Mixed Berry Crumble Bars Recipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie

      April 20, 2014 at 2:45 pm

      I just made these for Easter, they are sooo amazing. So happy I found this on Pinterest!

      Reply
    2. Megan Porta

      January 30, 2013 at 6:08 pm

      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

      Reply
    3. Mary Beth

      January 30, 2013 at 2:48 am

      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?

      Reply
    4. April

      September 04, 2012 at 5:35 pm

      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!!

      Reply
    5. Kristina

      April 10, 2012 at 3:04 pm

      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!

      Reply
    6. Paula

      April 02, 2012 at 2:42 pm

      Mmmmm… I'll have to make these for your dad for Easter! Lemon-ey bites after our Easter meal! Yum!

      Reply
    7. Parsley Sage

      April 01, 2012 at 5:02 pm

      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

      Reply
    8. Amy's Cooking Adventures

      April 01, 2012 at 1:10 am

      These look AMAZING!

      Reply

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