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Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars

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Delightful Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars with tart lemon curd layered over a buttery crust and topped with a smooth cream cheese layer. These bars taste like your favorite lemon pie but are easy to slice and serve without fuss.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: undefined
  • Total Time: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 9 bars
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter, melted
  • Cream cheese, softened
  • Powdered sugar
  • Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • Lemon zest
  • Heavy cream or milk (optional, to thin cream layer)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang.
  2. In a bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter until the mixture forms a sandy, pressable dough.
  3. Press two-thirds of the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Reserve the remaining crumbs for topping later.
  4. Bake crust for 12–15 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove and let cool slightly.
  5. In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth. Add a splash of heavy cream or milk if needed to reach a spreadable consistency.
  6. Fold lemon juice and zest into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined.
  7. Spread the cream cheese layer over the baked crust in an even layer.
  8. Sprinkle reserved crust crumbs over the lemon cream layer.
  9. Bake again for about 10–12 minutes, until the topping is just set.
  10. Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan, then chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before slicing using the parchment overhang.

Notes

  • Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
  • Graham crust: Replace part of the crust with crushed graham crackers for a sweeter base.
  • Berry swirl: Drop small dollops of raspberry or strawberry jam on top before baking and swirl gently.
  • Lemon curd boost: Spread a thin layer of store-bought or homemade lemon curd between the crust and cream layer for extra tang.
  • Coconut crunch: Sprinkle shredded coconut over the topping before the second bake.
  • For storage, store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’re best served chilled or just slightly warmed at room temperature.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/lazy-day-lemon-cream-pie-bars/