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Best Cream Cheese Swirl Lemon Bars: Zesty & Decadent

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These Cream Cheese Swirl Lemon Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust with a tangy lemon filling and a luscious cream cheese swirl, creating an unforgettable dessert. Perfect for any occasion, they redefine what a lemon bar can be!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest (from about 2–3 large lemons)
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 large eggs
  • 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  3. Cut 1 cup of cold, unsalted butter into small cubes and add to the flour mixture. Cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan.
  5. Bake the crust for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the fillings.
  6. In a large bowl, whisk together 1¾ cups granulated sugar and ¼ cup all-purpose flour.
  7. Stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon zest.
  8. Whisk in ½ cup fresh lemon juice.
  9. Whisk in 4 large eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set aside.
  10. In a separate medium bowl, beat 8 ounces of softened, full-fat cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
  11. Add ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg yolk, and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Beat until just combined and smooth.
  12. Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag or a small zip-top bag, and snip a corner off for easy piping.
  13. Pour the lemon filling evenly over the partially baked crust in the pan.
  14. Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the lemon filling.
  15. Using a butter knife or a skewer, gently swirl the cream cheese into the lemon filling.
  16. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is only slightly wobbly.
  17. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature.
  18. Once cooled, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 3-4 hours, or preferably overnight.
  19. Once thoroughly chilled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan. Cut into squares or rectangles.

Nutrition

Keywords: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps. Use fresh lemons for the best flavor, and be careful not to overmix the cream cheese swirl.

Find it online: https://homestylerecipes.de/best-cream-cheese-swirl-lemon-bars-zesty-decadent/