Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Lemon Cheesecake Bars are sunshine in your mouth (and belly)! By using both the lemon juice and zest, these dessert bars are loaded with lemony flavor. The mouthwatering lemon is then topped with a simple juicy blueberry topping that cannot be missed!ย 

Lemon Cheesecake Bars stacked on top of each other with blueberries on the side

Why We Love Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Folks, today I bring you the zesty, sweet, creamy, and utterly delicious Lemon Cheesecake Bars! These little beauties will brighten anyoneโ€™s day the second they pass their lips. 

The lemony cheesecake is plenty flavorful in itself, but I had to add the blueberry topping since the sweetness itโ€™s such a fantastic complement to the lemon. You donโ€™t have to make the topping, but Iโ€™d recommend it if you love delicious things.

And donโ€™t worry, the crust and the cheesecake exist in perfect harmony, so neither part of the dish takes over the other. You know what else is going to exist in perfect harmony? You and these Lemon Cheesecake Bars, probably. Just sayinโ€™!

Key Ingredients for Lemon Cheesecake

Letโ€™s start with what weโ€™re all here for: The lemony cheesecake filling! All youโ€™ll need is softened cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla, eggs, and pretty much the whole lemon. 

Some recipes call for either the zest or the lemon, but today weโ€™re going to use both! Juice and zest one entire lemon and youโ€™ll be thanking me later! I know sometimes itโ€™s tempting to use bottled lemon juice, but I found that itโ€™s too acidic for this light and luscious recipe.ย 

As for the crust, youโ€™ll only need butter and graham cracker crumbs. Itโ€™s simple but itโ€™s delicious and it works! Then, if you choose to make the blueberry topping, youโ€™ll need blueberries (frozen or fresh), water, and sugar. Itโ€™s a piece of (cheese)cake!

Lemon Cheesecake Bars on white plates with blueberry topping

How To Make Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Step 1: Heat Oven and Prep

Heat your oven to 325 degrees F and line a 13×9โ€ pan with foil. Be sure to leave extra foil on each end to act as โ€œhandlesโ€ when you pull the cheesecake from the pan later. 

Step 2: Make the Graham Cracker Crust

In a small bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and press the mixture into the bottom of the foiled pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. 

Step 3: Mix the Lemon Cheesecake Filling

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until itโ€™s smooth, and then add the sugar, flour, vanilla, juice, and zest. Mix until the ingredients are well blended. Then, you can being to add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. 

Step 4: Bake Filling

Pour the batter over your baked crust and bake for 40 minutes, or until the center is almost set. Allow the cheesecake to cool for one hour, and then cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 

Step 5: Make the Blueberry Topping

Combine all of the blueberry topping ingredients in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, and then let it cool completely before serving. 

Step 6: Serve

To serve the cheesecake, use the foil handles to remove the cheesecake from the pan. Cut it into squares and then top it with a spoonful of the blueberry topping. Enjoy!

a lemon cheesecake bar with a bite taken out of it and blueberry topping drizzled on top

FAQ

What is the secret to making good cheesecake?

There are so many factors, and I believe โ€œgood cheesecakeโ€ is any cheesecake you enjoy. It doesnโ€™t have to look perfect like it does on cooking shows! However, there are a few things you can do to ensure your cheesecake sets right and comes out with the right consistency.
For example, line your baking pan and press the crust in firmly and evenly. This helps the crust cook at the same rate since itโ€™s not a variety of densities. Also, do your best to use room-temperature ingredients, especially when it comes to cream cheese and eggs. Finally, donโ€™t open the oven while itโ€™s cooking! Itโ€™ll release too much heat.

Is there a low-fat substitution for cream cheese in cheesecake?

Thereโ€™s a substitution called Neufchรขtel! Itโ€™s made with less fat and has a higher moisture content, but it can be subbed pretty seamlessly with cream cheese.ย 

How do I zest a lemon without a zester?

If you donโ€™t have a zester on hand, you can very carefully use a cheese grater. If you donโ€™t have that on hand, you can peel the rind (just the yellow part) off of the lemon skin and then finely chop it.ย 

Additional Lemon Recipesย 

Thanks so much for reading about these luscious Lemon Cheesecake Bars! Enjoy them to the fullest and let me know what you think!

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Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Servings: 16
Author: Countryside Cravings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Crust:
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • For the Filling:
  • 4 8 oz pkgs. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • zest and juice of one lemon
  • 3 eggs
  • Blueberry Topping:
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries or fresh
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 13×9″ pan with foil leaving extra on each end for “handles” (this will help you pull the cheesecake out of the pan later.)
  • In a small bowl mix the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and press in the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
  • In a large bowl beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the sugar, flour, vanilla, juice and zest. Mix until well blended. Add in the eggs one at a time mixing well after each.
  • Pour batter over baked crust and bake for 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool for 1 hour then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  • To make the optional blueberry topping combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and boil for 5 minutes. Let cool completely before serving.
  • To serve the cheesecake use the foil “handles” to remove the cheesecake from the pan. Cut into squares and top with a spoonful of the blueberry topping.
Did you make this?Let me know by sharing a picture and tagging @countryside_cravings on Instagram

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