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5 from 1 vote

Easy Lemon Cookie Bars Recipe with Cream Cheese

Bright, creamy, and tangy—these lemon cookie bars with cream cheese frosting are the perfect citrusy treat. Easy to make anytime!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
2 hours
Total Time2 hours 50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, French
Keyword: lemon ccokie bars recipe, lemon cookie bar, lemon cookie bars
Servings: 4 people
Author: Anthony Rodriguez
Cost: 15

Ingredients

 For the Cookie Bar Layer:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • count large egg
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 count egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp zest of 1 lemon optional for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang so you can lift the bars out later.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Mix in the egg, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Gradually add the dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms. Press evenly into a lined baking pan.
  • In another bowl, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth. Dollop spoonfuls of this lemon filling over the cookie base and use a butter knife or skewer to gently swirl.
  • Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. A toothpick should come out clean (minus a little cream cheese). Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack.
  • For best results, chill the bars for 1–2 hours (or overnight) wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge. This helps them firm up and makes for cleaner cuts. Slice with a sharp knife into neat squares or smaller pieces for a party tray.

Notes

  • Use room temp ingredients: Softened butter and cream cheese blend more smoothly, giving you a fluffier base and a silky swirl.
  • Don't skip the zest: Lemon zest contains essential oils that enhance citrus flavor—it's what makes these bars truly sing.
  • Chill before slicing: For clean cuts and a firm texture, refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour after they have cooled.
  • Make it your own: Add poppy seeds, drizzle with lemon glaze, or swap in orange zest for a twist.
  • Optional for topping: More lemon zest, confectioners’ sugar for dusting, or a lemon buttercream frosting drizzle (yes, really).

Nutrition

Calories: 758kcal | Carbohydrates: 108g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 438mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 1095IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 3mg