Sweet & Tangy Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Recipe for Summer Joy

Delightful lemon cream cheese bars bring a zesty twist to your dessert repertoire.

Sweet and tangy flavors dance across your palate with every bite.

Creamy textures meld perfectly with bright citrus notes.

Homemade treats often spark joy in unexpected moments.

Simple ingredients combine to create something magical.

Soft, pillowy squares promise pure indulgence that will make you smile.

Follow along, and you’ll craft a dessert that disappears faster than you can slice it.

Why Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Are A Sweet Treat

• Breeze Through Preparation: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned home cooks.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Tangy lemon and creamy cheese create a perfect balance of flavors that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family gatherings or potlucks.
• Versatile Party Treat: These bars are compact, easy to serve, and transport well, perfect for picnics, potlucks, bake sales, or casual dessert after dinner.
• Quick Crowd Delight: With minimal prep time and common pantry ingredients, you can create a delicious dessert that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

What You Need For Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

• Crescent Roll Dough: A soft and flaky pastry that creates the foundation for these delightful bars.

• Cream Cheese: A rich and creamy ingredient that provides a smooth and tangy base for the dessert.
• White Sugar: A sweet component that balances the tanginess of the cream cheese and lemon.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth texture in the filling.

• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright citrus ingredients that add a fresh, zesty flavor to the cream cheese mixture.
• Additional White Sugar: A topping that creates a sweet and slightly crisp surface on the bars.

Steps To Make Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Easily

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and get ready for some baking magic.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Vessel

Grab a baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking spray to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 3: Create the First Dough Layer

Gently unroll the first package of crescent roll dough and press it down into the bottom of the baking dish, creating a smooth, even foundation.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Filling

• Softened cream cheese
• White sugar
• Butter
• Lemon zest
• Fresh lemon juice

Blend everything together until the mixture becomes silky smooth and irresistible.

Step 5: Spread the Creamy Goodness

Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture over the first layer of crescent roll dough, making sure to cover every inch.

Step 6: Add the Final Dough Layer

Unroll the second package of crescent roll dough and carefully place it on top of the cream cheese layer, creating a delicious sandwich.

Step 7: Sprinkle the Finishing Touch

• Remaining sugar
• Lemon zest

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and let it bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges look bubbly and tempting.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares. This waiting period helps the bars set and makes cutting easier.

Helpful Hints For Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

• Chill the bars completely before cutting for clean, neat slices that won't crumble.
• Use room temperature cream cheese to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling with perfect consistency.
• Gently pat down the crescent roll dough layers to prevent air pockets and create an even surface.
• Experiment with different citrus zests like orange or lime for unique flavor variations.
• Line the baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal and effortless cleanup.

Ways To Switch Up Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

• Raspberry Swirl Bars: Replace lemon juice and zest with raspberry puree, adding vibrant color and fruity flavor to the cream cheese mixture.
• Blueberry Cheesecake Bars: Incorporate fresh blueberries into the cream cheese layer and sprinkle dried blueberries on top for intense berry taste.
• Almond Crunch Bars: Mix sliced almonds into the top crescent roll layer and sprinkle chopped almonds over the surface for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Chocolate Marble Bars: Swirl melted dark chocolate into the cream cheese mixture before spreading, creating a rich, decadent variation with beautiful marbled effect.

Pairings That Go With Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

• Pair Zesty Citrus Cocktail: Craft a refreshing lemon drop martini using vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to complement the dessert's bright citrus notes.
• Enhance Creamy Contrast: Serve a chilled glass of unoaked Chardonnay to balance the rich cream cheese and provide a smooth, subtle white wine accompaniment.
• Cleanse Palate Perfectly: Offer a light herbal tea like chamomile or mint to cut through the dessert's sweetness and refresh the taste buds after enjoying the lemon cream cheese bars.
• Match Sweet Indulgence: Present a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside the bars to create a decadent, creamy texture that amplifies the dessert's richness.

How To Store Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover bars with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual bars or the entire pan tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm refrigerated bars at 300F for 10-15 minutes to restore slight crispness and bring back fresh-baked flavor.
• Warm individual bars for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Check temperature and avoid overheating to maintain texture.

Questions About Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Answered

• Can I use store-bought pie crust instead of crescent roll dough?

Yes, you can substitute crescent roll dough with refrigerated pie crust or shortbread dough for a similar texture and taste.

• How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for a golden brown top and slightly bubbly edges. When the bars are done, they’ll have a light golden color and the dough will look set and crisp.

• Is it necessary to use fresh lemon zest?

Fresh lemon zest provides the best flavor and brightness. If you can’t find fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice and dried zest can work, but the taste won’t be as vibrant.

Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon cream cheese bars bring sunshine to dessert tables with creamy, tangy perfection. Delicate layers of smooth cream cheese and bright citrus create a refreshing treat you won’t be able to resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 packages (16 ounces / 454 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 2 packages (16 ounces / 454 grams) refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 2 lemons, zested and juiced

Sweeteners:

• 1/2 cup (100 grams) white sugar
• 3 tablespoons (37.5 grams) white sugar

Supplementary Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter, melted
• Cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and coat a rectangular baking pan with non-stick spray.
2. Carefully unfurl the first crescent roll dough package and gently press into the pan’s bottom, creating an even base layer.
3. Combine cream cheese, white sugar, softened butter, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice in a mixing bowl, blending until the mixture becomes silky and uniform.
4. Meticulously spread the cream cheese mixture across the dough, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
5. Gently unroll the second crescent roll dough package and delicately position it atop the cream cheese layer.
6. Evenly scatter the remaining sugar and lemon zest across the top surface, creating a delicate, fragrant topping.
7. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and slight bubbling around the edges.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before slicing into neat squares.
9. Serve and enjoy the tangy, sweet dessert bars.

Notes

• Prepare all ingredients at room temperature to ensure smooth mixing and even texture.
• Use a zester or fine grater to extract maximum lemon zest without bitter white pith.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute crescent roll dough with gluten-free puff pastry or almond flour-based crust.
• Refrigerate bars for at least an hour before serving to allow cream cheese filling to set and enhance flavor intensity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 209 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 192 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 44 mg