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Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 148 reviews

Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, featuring a buttery crust topped with a tangy lemon cream cheese filling and finished with a crumbly sugar cookie topping. These bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookie Dough

  • 1 Cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 Cup butter (at room temperature)
  • 2 Cups all purpose flour

For the Filling

  • 8 Ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
  • 1/2 Cup sugar
  • 1/4 Cup lemon juice
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon zest (divided)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cookie bars.
  2. Prepare the baking dish: Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch square baking dish with foil and spray it generously with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
  3. Make the cookie dough: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat together the butter, 1 cup sugar, and vanilla extract on medium speed for 2 minutes until creamy and well combined.
  4. Add the flour: Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually add the all-purpose flour in increments of half a cup, mixing just until the dough comes together without overmixing.
  5. Bake the base layer: Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the surface is lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  6. Store remaining dough: Keep the remaining half of the sugar cookie dough covered in a bowl in the refrigerator until ready to use for the topping.
  7. Prepare the filling: In a clean bowl, beat the cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest together until smooth and creamy using a paddle attachment or hand mixer.
  8. Assemble the bars: Pour the lemon cream cheese filling evenly over the cooled cookie base layer in the baking dish.
  9. Add the topping: Remove the cold cookie dough from the refrigerator and crumble it evenly over the lemon filling to create the crumbly top layer.
  10. Bake the assembled bars: Place the dish back in the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden in color.
  11. Garnish and cool: Once baked, sprinkle the bars with the remaining 1 tablespoon of lemon zest for a fresh citrus aroma. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting and serving.

Notes

  • Make sure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
  • Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best citrus flavor.
  • Pressing the base dough firmly in the pan helps to create a sturdier crust.
  • Chilling the remaining dough before crumbling helps maintain a nice texture for the topping.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keywords: lemon sugar cookie bars, lemon cream cheese bars, lemon dessert bars, sugar cookie bars, easy lemon bars, baked lemon dessert

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/lemon-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe/