Description
Lemon squares with cream cheese are the perfect blend of zesty citrus and rich creaminess. This easy 30-minute recipe features a buttery crust and a velvety lemon filling, making it the ultimate comfort dessert that’s quick, bright, and irresistibly creamy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for crust)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mix flour, butter, and 1/4 cup sugar until crumbly, then press into the dish to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden.
- While the crust is baking, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the remaining 1 cup of sugar, eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla; mix until fully combined.
- Pour the lemon cream cheese filling over the hot crust.
- Bake for an additional 15–18 minutes until the center is just set.
- Cool at room temperature for 10–15 minutes, then refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Slice into squares and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
- These lemon squares with cream cheese are best chilled and served cold for optimal texture.
Notes
- Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- Let your cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth filling.
- Line your baking dish with parchment for easy slicing and lifting.
- For extra flavor, mix a bit of lemon zest into the crust dough.
- Substitute mascarpone for cream cheese if you prefer a lighter filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (of 9)
- Calories: 265 Kcal
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: lemon squares with cream cheese, lemon cream cheese bars, easy lemon dessert, lemon cheesecake bars, quick citrus desserts, cream cheese lemon bars, lemon squares recipe