Description
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars are a delightful, tangy dessert featuring layers of flaky crescent roll dough filled with a smooth lemon cream cheese mixture. These bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and citrusy flavors, ideal for a refreshing treat or party dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- Cooking spray, as needed
- 2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough
Filling
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced
- ½ cup white sugar
Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- lemon zest from additional 1 lemon (to mix with sugar for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer Bottom Dough: Unroll one package of crescent roll dough and gently press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, covering the entire surface evenly.
- Prepare Lemon Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, white sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix until smooth and creamy, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Spread Filling Over Dough: Evenly spread the lemon cream cheese mixture over the bottom layer of crescent roll dough in the baking dish.
- Add Top Layer of Dough: Unroll the second package of crescent roll dough and place it gently over the cream cheese filling, covering it completely without tearing.
- Apply Butter and Sugar Topping: Brush the melted butter evenly over the top layer of dough. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons white sugar with additional lemon zest, and sprinkle this mixture evenly on top for added sweetness and a citrusy aroma.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top layer is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the filling set and flavors meld before slicing into 24 bars and serving.
Notes
- For best results, make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to ensure a smooth filling.
- Handle the crescent roll dough gently to avoid tearing when layering.
- You can adjust the amount of lemon zest for a stronger or milder citrus flavor according to your preference.
- Chilling before slicing helps the bars hold their shape better.
- If you prefer a sweeter topping, you can increase the sugar quantity slightly.
