Zesty Lemon Cream Bars Recipe: Sweet, Tangy Treats

Zesty and bright, these lemon cream bars dance with tangy flavor that cuts through sweetness like a summer breeze.

Sunshine bursts from every creamy bite of this lemon cream bars recipe, promising a dessert that sparkles with refreshing citrus notes.

Rich, silky layers meld together in a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.

Each bar delivers a delicate crunch from the buttery crust, complemented by smooth, velvety filling.

The recipe brings a delightful dessert that feels both indulgent and light, perfect for elegant gatherings or quiet afternoon treats.

Simple ingredients combine to create a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll love how effortlessly these bars come together, turning ordinary moments into something extraordinary.

Serving Tips for These Lemony Squares

• Citrus Brunch Companion: Pair these tangy lemon cream bars with a light mimosa or freshly brewed iced tea for a delightful weekend morning treat that elevates your breakfast spread.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange the bars on a beautiful serving plate alongside fresh mint leaves and a dusting of powdered sugar, creating a sophisticated presentation that will impress guests at dinner parties or special gatherings.
• Summer Picnic Star: Pack these bars in a cooler for outdoor adventures, making them a perfect portable dessert that stays firm and refreshing during beach trips, park outings, or family picnics where cool, zesty treats are always welcome.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Serve these bars with a classic Earl Grey tea, allowing the bright lemon flavors to complement the tea's subtle bergamot notes, transforming your afternoon break into a gourmet experience.

Store Lemon Bars and Keep the Texture Smooth

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the lemon cream bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator. These delightful treats will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days, maintaining their incredible creamy texture and zesty flavor profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch of bars a day before your event or gathering. Covering them tightly with plastic wrap helps lock in moisture and intensifies the lemony goodness, making them even more scrumptious when served.
• Freezing for Future Enjoyment: Individually wrap each bar in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. These bars can be frozen for up to 3 weeks, providing a convenient sweet treat whenever a craving strikes. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Smart Serving Suggestion: Always slice the bars when they're completely chilled to ensure clean, precise cuts. Use a sharp knife wiped with a warm, damp cloth between each slice to create picture-perfect dessert squares that will impress family and friends.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

Lemon Cream Bars Ingredients for Tangy Sweetness

• Cooking Spray: Ensures easy release and prevents sticking.
• Crescent Roll Dough: Creates a flaky, golden foundation for the bars.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the crust together.

• Cream Cheese: Provides smooth, tangy base with luxurious texture.
• White Sugar: Balances tartness and adds sweetness to the filling.
• Lemon Zest: Delivers bright, intense citrus aroma and concentrated flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Brings zesty, refreshing tang and helps balance sweetness.

• White Sugar: Creates a delicate, sparkling finish with subtle crunch.
• Lemon Zest: Adds final burst of citrusy brightness and visual appeal.

Tools That Help You Nail Lemon Bars

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for creating the perfect bar size and shape.
• Aluminum foil: Crucial for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Electric mixer: Key for blending cream cheese filling smoothly and quickly.
• Large mixing bowl: Necessary for combining cream cheese filling ingredients.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing sugar and lemon zest topping.
• Cutting board: Helpful for slicing bars after cooling.
• Pastry brush: Great for evenly spreading melted butter on top layer.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Important for accurate ingredient quantities.

Directions to Get Creamy Lemon Bars Just Right

• Oven Preparation

Set oven to 350°F. Line a baking dish with foil for easy removal and smooth surface.

• Dough Foundation

Gently spread first layer of crescent roll dough across entire dish bottom, creating a smooth base.

• Zesty Cream Mixture

Blend cream cheese with fresh lemon juice and zest until silky and vibrant. Create a luscious filling that promises tangy brightness.

• Layering Magic

Pour cream cheese mixture over dough, ensuring even distribution. Top with second dough layer, covering filling completely.

• Citrus Sparkle Topping

Brush top layer with melted butter. Dust surface with sugar and remaining lemon zest for a delightful golden crust.

• Baking Transformation

Slide dish into oven. Bake until top turns golden and kitchen fills with citrusy, sweet aroma – approximately 30 minutes.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow bars to cool for 20 minutes. Lift from pan using foil edges. Slice into squares. Refrigerate for one hour to enhance flavors and set filling. Serve chilled for maximum deliciousness.

Flavor Additions for Your Lemon Cream Bars

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Cream Cheese Swap: Experiment with different cream cheese variations like low-fat, neufchâtel, or flavored cream cheese to create unique taste profiles without compromising texture.
• Citrus Adventure: Replace lemon with other zesty fruits like lime or orange for a refreshing twist. Each citrus will bring its own vibrant personality to these delightful bars.
• Crunch Factor: Sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds or pecans between layers for added texture and a delightful nutty undertone that complements the creamy filling.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Substitute crescent roll dough with gluten-free pastry sheets or make a homemade almond flour crust to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the dessert's delicious essence.
• Flavor Boost: Enhance the lemon cream filling by adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of ground cardamom for an unexpected and sophisticated flavor dimension that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Zesty Lemon Cream Bars

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delightful lemon cream bars blend tangy citrus with creamy sweetness for an irresistible dessert. Rich layers of zingy lemon curd and silky cream promise a refreshing treat that satisfies your dessert cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 packages refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 oz / 226 g)
• 2 tbsps butter, melted
• 2 packages cream cheese, softened (8 oz / 226 g)
• ½ cup white sugar
• 3 tbsps white sugar
• 2 lemons, zested and juiced
• Cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Workspace Preparation: Line a 9×13-inch dish with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray to ensure effortless removal of the finished bars.
2. Dough Foundation: Unfurl the first crescent roll dough package across the dish’s bottom, stretching gently to create a seamless, uniform base covering the entire surface.
3. Lemon Cream Filling: Whisk softened cream cheese, lemon juice, most of the zest, and sugar until the mixture transforms into a luxuriously smooth, velvety consistency.
4. Filling Distribution: Spread the vibrant cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough layer, ensuring edge-to-edge coverage for a consistent flavor profile.
5. Topping Layer: Carefully position the second crescent roll dough package to completely cover the cream cheese filling, minimizing any potential gaps.
6. Pre-Bake Enhancement: Brush melted butter across the surface and sprinkle remaining sugar and lemon zest to create a golden, aromatic topping.
7. Baking Process: Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven until the top achieves a rich golden-brown color and releases a citrusy, sweet fragrance.
8. Cooling and Preparation: Allow bars to cool for 20 minutes, then lift the entire dessert from the dish using foil edges. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into precise squares.
9. Final Refinement: Refrigerate for at least an hour to set the filling and intensify the flavors, creating a chilled, tantalizing dessert ready to be savored.

Notes

• Prep Surface Smart: Line the baking dish with aluminum foil and spray lightly to ensure effortless bar removal and clean cutting.
• Dough Stretching Technique: Gently stretch crescent roll dough to create a seamless, edge-to-edge base without tearing or creating uneven patches.
• Cream Cheese Perfection: Whisk cream cheese mixture until completely smooth to avoid lumps and achieve a silky, consistent texture throughout the filling.
• Cooling and Setting Crucial: Allow bars to cool for 20 minutes, then refrigerate for at least an hour to set filling and enhance flavor intensity, creating a more refined dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg