Description
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars are a decadent dessert featuring a buttery crescent roll crust layered with a smooth, tangy lemon cream cheese filling and topped with a golden, sugared crescent roll layer. Perfectly balanced with zesty lemon and creamy sweetness, these bars are an excellent treat for gatherings or afternoon indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Topping
- 2 (8-oz) cans crescent rolls, divided
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- Zest of ½ lemon
Filling
- 2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1½ lemons juiced and zested (use juice and zest divided)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Pre-Bake Crust: Press one can of crescent rolls into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming an even layer. Bake this crust for 7 minutes in the preheated oven to give it a head start on baking.
- Make Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, juice from 1½ lemons, zest from 1½ lemons, ½ cup sugar, and vanilla extract. Use an electric hand mixer to beat the mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Layer Filling: Spread the smooth lemon cream cheese filling evenly over the partially baked crescent roll crust.
- Add Top Crust: Unroll the second can of crescent rolls and gently stretch it to cover the cream cheese layer completely, pressing dough to the edges of the pan.
- Prepare Topping: Brush the top crescent roll dough layer with melted butter to help the sugar stick and to promote browning.
- Sugar and Zest Topping: Mix 3 tablespoons sugar with the remaining lemon zest in a small bowl. Sprinkle this sugary lemon zest mixture evenly over the butter-brushed dough.
- Bake Bars: Bake the assembled bars for 30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and fully baked through.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for 20 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to fully set the filling and enhance flavors.
- Serve: Lift the bars out of the baking dish using the foil edges, transfer to a cutting board, cut into 24 bars, and enjoy.
Notes
- Using aluminum foil in the baking pan makes removing the bars easier after baking.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Refrigeration after baking improves texture and flavor melding.
- The lemon zest in the sugar topping adds a nice citrusy crunch and aroma.
- If preferred, garnish with fresh lemon slices or a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.
