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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

Equipment

  • 8x8-inch baking pan
  • Non-stick Cooking Spray
  • Mixing Bowl (2)
  • pastry blender
  • beaters

Ingredients

  • 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

Instructions

  • 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.

Nutrition

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