Classic Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Smooth, creamy cheesecake bars with a tangy lemon finish and a crisp graham crust, ideal for both everyday indulgence and refined occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These bars offer a perfect balance of citrus brightness and velvety creaminess. The texture is dense yet silky, while the graham crust provides structure and contrast. They are a convenient, elegant dessert that slices cleanly and serves beautifully.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
• graham cracker crumbs
• melted butter
• granulated sugar
• cream cheese
• eggs
• lemon zest
• lemon juice
• vanilla extract
• powdered sugar for dusting
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 325°F.
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Mix graham crumbs, melted butter, and sugar to form the crust.
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Press firmly into a baking dish.
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Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
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Add eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
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Pour filling over crust and bake until set.
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Cool completely, then chill before slicing.
Servings and Timing
• Servings: 12–16 bars
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
• Cooling/Chilling Time: 3 hours
• Total Time: approximately 4 hours
Variations
• Add a lemon curd topping.
• Use a shortbread crust for added richness.
• Incorporate berries into the filling.
Storage/Reheating
Store refrigerated up to 5 days. Freeze bars up to 2 months.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh is preferred for brightness.
Why did my bars crack?
Over-baking or rapid cooling can cause cracks.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Full-fat yields best texture.
Can I add sour cream?
Yes, for enhanced creaminess.
Should I line the pan?
Lining with parchment aids in removal.
Can these be served frozen?
Thaw lightly before serving.
Are they overly sweet?
They offer balanced sweetness with citrus.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, bake in a larger pan and adjust time.
Why are edges browning?
Reduce oven temperature slightly.
Can I use a food processor?
Yes, for a smooth filling.
Conclusion
Classic Lemon Cheesecake Bars deliver a luxurious yet refreshing dessert experience that is effortless to serve and universally appealing.
PrintClassic Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Creamy baked lemon cheesecake bars with a buttery graham cracker crust and a bright, tangy lemon flavor—easy, refreshing, and perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins + chilling
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
-
- Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake crust for 8–10 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed to avoid air bubbles.
- Mix in sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla until creamy.
- Pour filling over the crust and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until the center is set but slightly jiggly.
- Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before slicing.
- Cut into bars and serve chilled.
Notes
- For extra lemon flavor, add an additional teaspoon of zest.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smoother batter.
- Chill thoroughly to achieve clean slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: lemon cheesecake bars, lemon dessert, cheesecake squares, easy cheesecake
