Easy Lemon Cheesecake Bars Recipe


 

Lemon Cheesecake Bars


⏱️ Prep + Bake + Chill: ~3 hrs
7portions

If you're a fan of creamy, tangy, and refreshing desserts, then you'll love this easy lemon cheesecake bars recipe. These bars are perfect for a summer party, a potluck, or just a simple dessert after dinner. They're quick and easy to make, and they're sure to impress your guests.

DessertNo-fussMake-ahead

Ingredients

  • Graham cracker crumbs3/4 cup
  • Granulated sugar (for crust)1/4 cup
  • Unsalted butter, melted1/4 cup
  • Cream cheese, softened12 1/2 oz
  • Granulated sugar (for filling)3/8 cup
  • Large eggs1 1/2
  • Lemon juice1/4 cup
  • Lemon zest3/4 tbsp
  • Vanilla extract3/8 tsp

Instructions

  1. Preheat & prep pan
    Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a little bit of overhang on the sides.
  2. Mix the crust
    In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of sugar, and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are well-coated.
  3. Press the crust
    Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared baking dish and press it down firmly using a flat-bottomed glass.
  4. Bake the crust
    Bake the crust until light golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
    ⏲ 10 minutes
  5. Beat cream cheese & sugar
    In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup of sugar together until smooth and creamy.
  6. Add eggs
    Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  7. Add lemon & vanilla
    Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined.
  8. Pour filling over crust
    Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust.
  9. Bake the cheesecake
    Bake until the cheesecake is set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.
    ⏲ 25–30 minutes
  10. Cool & chill
    Remove from the oven and let it cool completely. Once cooled, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
    ⏲ 2+ hours
  11. Slice & serve
    Lift the cheesecake bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into bars and serve.

Tips

  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before use.
  • Let the cheesecake bars cool completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation from forming on top.
  • For a smoother cheesecake filling, make sure to beat the cream cheese and sugar until it's smooth and creamy.
  • You can add a little bit of whipped cream on top of each bar before serving to make it even more delicious.