Zesty Lemon Cheesecake Dream Bars

Every single occasion can be celebrated with these Easy Lemon Cheesecake Bars. These bars contain cream cheese, lemon juice and sour cream cream mixed with zest of lemons which makes it deliciously rich.

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This recipe is a sure winner for all the lemon cheesecake lovers out there.

These creamy lemon cheesecake bars are perfect for spring as they blend the zest of lemon with the cream cheese to completely lift your mood. There is one very wonderful thing about them – they are dead simple to make.

The Best Easy Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Spring is almost approaching which means its time to get out our lemon based recipes. These bars are incredibly easy and convenient to make as they take just twenty minutes to prepare and thirty minutes to bake. There is no complicated equipment like water bath or spring forms needed!

No matter your experience with baking, this recipe is reward and easy at the same time. Are you feeling optimistic yet reluctant to try baking cheesecake? If yes, these tangy bars will serve as the perfect beginners dish.

Ingredients for Lemon Cheesecake Bars

1. Cream Cheese: When it comes to cream cheese, one must always select full fat. Ensure that it’s soft so that the batter does not have any lumps.
2. Sour Cream: Adds children’s favorite tanginess and creaminess to the cheesecake. Do remember to stick to full fat for the best taste.
3. Granulated Sugar: Balances the tartness of the lemons, so this combination adds the perfect sweet and tangy.
4. Eggs: You will be using three whole eggs as well as a few extra yolks so that the cheesecake retains its structure and richness.
5. Lemons: At least three lemons will be required to garnish the bar, juice, and zest as well.
6. Heavy Cream: This ingredient along with the eggs makes the batter feel extra luscious and creamy, while the cheesecake itself is rich and decadent. And definitely do not substitute cream with milk or half and half.

Moreover, do not forget the graham cracker crust! You will be required to add graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar to form a flavorful base. And remember, do not use brown sugar here, use granulated sugar instead. If you don’t have pre-crushed graham crackers you can easily put some in a blender or a food processor.

How to make Lemon Cheesecake Bars:

1.Crust Preparation:

To begin, first preheat the oven to 350° F. Subsequently, mix the graham cracker crumb, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl until they are well blended. Then, press the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking pan. Place it in the oven for 10 minutes. This will crisp the crust and prevent it from being watery. After that, let it cool.

2. Decrease the Temperature of the Oven

After the crust is baked, turn the oven temperature down to 325° F.

3.Preparation Of Batter For The Cheesecake

This is the stage where you can use a food processor, high-performance blender or even a stand mixer. Use the sour cream with cream cheese and combine them in such a manner that it becomes smooth. Lumps should not be present so be sure to check every once in a while and scrape the bowl from the sides.

Then add the sugar to the mix along with the lemon and beat them together to make them combine. Add the heavy cream together with the eggs in addition to the lemon juice and the yolks. Stir the mixture just enough to combine the ingredients together but do not overdo it. If too much beating is done, then there will be a lot of air in the batter which will create cracks. Pour the creamy lemon filling on the pre baked crust

4. Make the Cheesecake Bars

Bake for approximately 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the middle still jiggles a little. There is no need to be alarmed if you perceive the center as slightly under cooked; it will solidify as the bars cool.

5. Allow Them To Cool Completely

The hardest phase is the waiting. Place the cheesecake bars in the pan and allow them to cool to room temperature before putting them in the refrigerator for a minimum of four hours. This helps the bars to set well and in the right manner and achieve the texture they should.

Tips for Success

• Remember to put just enough air when beating the batter. Too much air in the batter may give the cheesecake a puff during baking and collapse it after cooling.
• For best flavor of the cheesecake, ensure to use fresh lemons. Bottled lemon juice is not recommended.
• For added decoration, you can top your cheesecake bars with lemon cuts, fresh birds, or sprinkle some powdered sugar.

Can You Freeze Lemon Cheesecake Bars?

Definitely! After you cool the dessert, wrap it in saran film and place it into a zip bag suitable for the freezer. This will allow the dessert to be preserved in the freezer for a maximum of two months. And when you want to eat them, just place the dessert into the fridge the night before and you’re good to go!

Serving Suggestions

If it’s a large gathering that is attending, you might want to consider making some more since they vanish quite fast. They tend to ask for more so be prepared and most of the times pair it up with whipped cream fresh berries or even some lemon glaze which works wonders.