When life gives you lemons, make Lemon Cream Cheese Bars—a dessert that’s creamy, tangy, and sweet in all the right ways. These bars are layered with buttery crescent dough and filled with a rich lemon-kissed cream cheese layer, topped with a golden, sugared crust. They’re perfect for spring picnics, potlucks, or whenever you’re craving a citrusy treat.
Why You’ll Love Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
- Bright & Tangy Flavor: Real lemon zest and juice bring bold citrus freshness.
- Creamy Center: The rich cream cheese filling makes each bite velvety smooth.
- Easy to Make: Uses simple store-bought dough for a quick, no-fuss dessert.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Makes a big batch, ideal for sharing or entertaining.
- Chill & Serve: Can be made ahead and served chilled—great for summer!
Time Needed
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Servings: 24 bars
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 2 (8 oz) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury® Recipe Creations®), divided
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced, divided
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
How to Make Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
1️⃣ Prep the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.
2️⃣ Create the Base
Unroll one can of crescent dough and press it into the bottom of the dish. Stretch the dough to cover the base completely.
3️⃣ Mix the Filling
In a large bowl, combine the lemon juice and ¾ of the lemon zest. Add cream cheese and ½ cup sugar, beating until smooth and creamy. Spread the mixture over the dough.
4️⃣ Add the Top Layer
Unroll the second crescent roll dough and lay it over the cream cheese layer, again stretching to the edges. Brush with melted butter.
5️⃣ Add the Sweet Topping
Combine the remaining lemon zest with 3 tablespoons sugar and sprinkle evenly over the top.
6️⃣ Bake & Cool
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Let cool for 20 minutes.
7️⃣ Chill & Slice
Lift the foil from the dish and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into squares, place back in the dish, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Nutrition Info (Per Bar)
- Calories: 171
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 3g
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Yes! Light cream cheese and sugar alternatives like Splenda work great.
2. Do I need to line the pan with foil?
Foil makes it easier to lift and slice the bars, but parchment paper also works.
3. Can I add extra lemon flavor?
Try adding a bit of lemon extract or extra zest for a bigger citrus punch.
4. Can I serve these warm?
They’re best chilled, but slightly warm bars are equally delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
5. How can I dress these up for guests?
Top with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of lemon glaze, or fresh berries for a pretty presentation.
Final Thoughts
These Lemon Cream Cheese Bars are sunshine in dessert form—easy to make, effortlessly elegant, and bursting with real lemon flavor. Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a backyard brunch or stashing them in the fridge for weekday cravings, this is one sweet treat you’ll come back to again and again. 🍋💛
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Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
Description
When life gives you lemons, make Lemon Cream Cheese Bars—a dessert that’s creamy, tangy, and sweet in all the right ways. Layered with buttery crescent dough and a lemon-kissed cream cheese filling, topped with a golden sugared crust, these bars are perfect for spring picnics, potlucks, or any citrus craving.
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 2 (8 oz) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury® Recipe Creations®), divided
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced, divided
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.
- Unroll one can of crescent dough and press it into the bottom of the dish. Stretch the dough to cover the base completely.
- In a large bowl, combine the lemon juice and ¾ of the lemon zest. Add cream cheese and ½ cup sugar, beating until smooth and creamy. Spread the mixture over the dough.
- Unroll the second crescent roll dough and lay it over the cream cheese layer, again stretching to the edges. Brush with melted butter.
- Combine the remaining lemon zest with 3 tablespoons sugar and sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Let cool for 20 minutes.
- Lift the foil from the dish and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into squares, place back in the dish, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Use light cream cheese and sugar alternatives like Splenda for a lighter version. Add extra lemon zest or a dash of lemon extract for more citrus punch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 171
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: lemon, cream cheese, bars, citrus, dessert