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Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Lemon Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 9 servings
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 16 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup plus 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
  • ½ cup full-fat sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of fine sea salt

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment. Mix crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, and melted butter, then press firmly into the pan.
  2. Bake the crust 8 minutes, then cool on a rack.
  3. Beat cream cheese and remaining ½ cup plus 1 tbsp sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in lemon juice, zest, sour cream, vanilla, and salt until just combined.
  4. Pour filling over crust and bake 25-30 minutes until edges are set and center jiggles slightly.
  5. Cool completely, then refrigerate at least 4 hours. Lift out, slice into squares, and serve cold.

Notes

Give the bars a full overnight chill if you can; the texture becomes even denser and the lemon flavor deepens. Cold bars slice the cleanest, so cut them straight from the fridge with a hot, dry knife.