Description

These Creamy Lemon Dream Bars. Are a little slice of heaven. Where the tangy embrace of fresh lemons. Meets the smoothness of cream cheese. All resting on a buttery, crumbly base. That crumbles just so with each bite. It’s like capturing the essence of a sunny day. And serving it up. In a dessert form. Each square. Is a testament to the joy of simple ingredients. Coming together. To create something truly magical. Whether it’s the bright. Uplifting zestiness of the lemon. Or the comforting richness. Of the cream cheese. This dessert is a celebration of flavors. And textures. That dance together. In perfect harmony. It’s not just a treat. It’s an experience. One that reminds us. To find the extraordinary. In the everyday.

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:

2 c all-purpose flour

½ c granulated sugar

½ tsp salt

1 c (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For the filling:

8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature

2 c granulated sugar

¼ c all-purpose flour

¾ c lemon juice, freshly squeezed

⅓ c confectioners’ sugar, plus extra for dusting

6 large eggs

1 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Heat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with foil or parchment, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

For the crust, blend 2 c flour, ½ c sugar, ½ tsp salt, and 1 c cold, cubed butter until it forms fine crumbs. Press this mixture into your pan and bake for 10 minutes.

For the filling, mix 8 oz softened cream cheese with 2 c sugar until smooth. Add ¼ c flour, ⅓ c confectioners’ sugar, ¾ c lemon juice, 6 eggs, and 1 tbsp vanilla. Mix until smooth.

Pour the filling over the baked crust and bake for 30 more minutes.
Let it cool for about 20 minutes, then chill in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight.

Use the foil overhang to lift out the bars, cut into squares, dust with confectioners’ sugar, and serve.

Notes

To transform these Creamy Lemon Dream Bars. Into a gluten-free delight. Without compromising on taste. Or texture. Simply swap the all-purpose flour in the crust. And filling for your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Look for a blend. That’s designed for 1:1 substitution. To ensure your crust remains crumbly. And the filling. Perfectly smooth. Additionally. Pay close attention to your powdered sugar. And vanilla extract. To ensure they’re gluten-free too. As some brands. May include additives. That contain gluten. This small tweak. Allows everyone to indulge. In the lemony magic of these bars. Making the joys of baking. Inclusive and deliciously sweet for all.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes