Description
Brighten up your dessert table with these Creamy Lemon Cheesecake Crumb Bars — the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and buttery indulgence. This easy recipe is a go-to for anyone who loves lemon desserts, cheesecake, or just needs a quick treat for parties or lazy weekends. With a zesty cream cheese filling sandwiched between golden crumb layers, these bars offer the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures. Whether you’re hunting for quick breakfast ideas, easy dessert recipes, or simply delicious food ideas to share, this recipe ticks every box. The flavor bursts with sunshine, and the soft crumble topping makes it feel like a hug in bar form.
Ingredients
Crumb Layers (base & topping):
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
Lemon Cheesecake Filling:
16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Stir in the melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Press two-thirds of the mixture into the bottom of the pan to form the base.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the crust and smooth it evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the filling.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set.
- Let cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before cutting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Dessert