Today’s recipe for Lemon Cheesecake Bars is a favorite of my family and just about everyone who tries it. It is a not to be missed recipe, so if you like lemon you need to make these bars!
“Nothing brings a recipe to life like fresh lemons! For a change of pace from the standard Southern-style lemon bars, you need to look no further! This recipe is easy and the taste is divine. I have also made this with Splenda(R) and low-fat cream cheese and they were just as wonderful.”
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars are a true family favorite. My mom made these for years when we were growing up and we all loved them. The luscious, creamy bar cookies took center stage at every family reunion, every picnic, and every weekend lake trip and they were always the first thing to be devoured. I like them more than a traditional lemon bar recipe because they’re much creamier and more like cheesecake. The buttery crust and crumble on top complement the light, fluffy lemony filling too. They’re so yummy; you will absolutely love this recipe.
Ingredients
cooking spray
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury(R) Recipe Creations(R)), divided
2 lemons, zested and juiced, divided
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons white sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
Press 1 can crescent roll dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, stretching to the edges.
Mix the zest of 1 1/2 lemons and juice from 2 lemons together in a bowl. Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar into lemon zest mixture using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy; spread over crescent roll dough layer.
Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and layer over cream cheese mixture, gently stretching dough to the edges. Brush melted butter over crescent roll dough layer. Mix remaining lemon zest and 3 tablespoons sugar together in a bowl; sprinkle over butter.
Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes. Lift dessert from baking dish using foil; transfer to a cutting board. Cut into squares, leaving on foil. Return dessert to the baking dish and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
recipes adapted from: allrecipes