Description
Tangy lemon cream cheese delight bars bring sunshine to dessert tables with their perfect balance of zesty citrus and creamy richness. Delicate layers melt together, creating a refreshing treat you’ll crave from first delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 (8 ounces / 226 grams) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2 (8 ounces / 226 grams) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury Recipe Creations)
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced
Sweeteners:
- ½ cup white sugar
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13-inch dish with aluminum foil, thoroughly coating with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Carefully unfurl the first sheet of crescent roll dough, pressing it smoothly across the entire bottom of the prepared dish, ensuring complete coverage with no gaps.
- Craft the lemon cream cheese filling by combining freshly grated lemon zest and extracted lemon juice in a mixing bowl, then vigorously whip the cream cheese and sugar until the mixture transforms into a silky, luxurious consistency.
- Generously distribute the lemon cream cheese mixture across the first dough layer, creating an even, uniform coating that reaches all corners of the pan.
- Gently lay the second crescent roll dough sheet over the cream cheese layer, delicately stretching it to align perfectly with the dish’s edges, then brush the surface with melted butter for a golden, rich finish.
- Create a sparkling lemon sugar topping by blending remaining lemon zest with sugar, then delicately sprinkle this aromatic mixture across the buttered dough surface.
- Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven, baking until the top achieves a beautiful golden-brown color, approximately 30 minutes. Once baked, allow the bars to cool for 20 minutes at room temperature.
- Utilize the foil edges to carefully transfer the entire dessert to a cutting board, slice into neat squares, and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour to achieve the perfect chilled texture.
Notes
- Zesty Lemon Flavor Bursts throughout these creamy bars, delivering a tangy and sweet dessert experience that will brighten any gathering.
- Crescent Roll Hack transforms simple dough into a luxurious base and topping, creating a quick and easy dessert with minimal preparation time.
- Chilling is Crucial for achieving the perfect texture, allowing the cream cheese layer to set and intensify the lemon’s bright, refreshing taste.
- Versatile Dessert works great for potlucks, brunches, or casual weekend treats, impressing guests with minimal baking skills required.
- Butter Brushing creates a golden, crispy top that adds a delightful crunch and rich flavor to the light and creamy lemon bars.
- Make-Ahead Friendly dessert can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making it an ideal option for busy home bakers wanting a stress-free sweet treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg