Creamy Lemon Bars Recipe
I love fruity desserts in the summer and these creamy lemon bars are a new family favorite!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dessert, Dessert bars, lemon, lemon bars
Calories: 2825kcal
8x8-inch baking pan
Non-stick Cooking Spray
Mixing Bowl (2)
pastry blender
beaters
- 20 nila wafers finely crushed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 4 Tablespoons butter cold
- 8 ounces cream cheese 1 package, (you can use low fat)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs room temperature, (just place eggs in a bowl of warm water for about 10 minutes)
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons grated lemon peel divided
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (use juice from lemons you zested)
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- powdered sugar optional to sprinkle on top
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 8-inch square baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Spray lightly with non-stick spray and set aside.
In a bowl, combine Nilla Wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup flour and the brown sugar. Chop butter into small pieces and then cut into crumb mixture with a pastry blender. If you don?t have a pastry blender, just use 2 knives, or even your fingers to break up the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press crumb mixture firmly onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes.
While crust is cooking, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, 2 tablespoons flour, and baking powder; mix well. Blend in 1 tablespoon lemon zest, and lemon juice and then pour mixture over crust.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight. These bars improve with time. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons grated lemon peel just before cutting into squares to serve. Store leftover squares in refrigerator.
Calories: 2825kcal | Carbohydrates: 427g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 110g | Saturated Fat: 59g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 571mg | Sodium: 2200mg | Potassium: 1048mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 307g | Vitamin A: 3139IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 544mg | Iron: 6mg