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My kitchen fills with the most amazing citrus aroma whenever I make these Lemon Cream Cheese Squares. The way the bright lemony scent mingles with buttery goodness just makes everyone gather around. I love watching faces light up with that first creamy tangy bite it's pure sunshine in dessert form.
What Makes These So Special
These squares have become my go to dessert for gatherings. That combination of buttery crust and silky lemon cream cheese filling is absolutely irresistible. I love how they're fancy enough for special occasions but simple enough to whip up whenever we need a little sweetness in our day.
What You'll Need
- Unsalted Butter: A full cup perfectly softened for that dreamy crust.
- Granulated Sugar: One cup makes everything just sweet enough.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a teaspoon adds lovely depth.
- All-Purpose Flour: Two cups creates our perfect base.
- Salt: Half a teaspoon makes all the flavors pop.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure it's room temperature for the smoothest filling.
- Powdered Sugar: One cup for silky sweetness.
- Large Egg: Brings everything together beautifully.
- Lemon Zest: Fresh zest makes such a difference.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Nothing beats the real thing.
Let's Get Baking
- Start with the base:
- Get your butter sugar and vanilla all creamy then mix in the flour and salt. Press it into your pan until it's just right then bake until golden.
- The creamy layer:
- Beat that cream cheese and powdered sugar until it's silky smooth then add your egg lemon zest and juice until everything's perfect.
- Bringing it together:
- Spread your lemony mixture over that warm crust then back in the oven it goes.
- The waiting game:
- Let it cool then into the fridge. I know it's hard to wait but it's worth it.
Keep Them Perfect
These beauties are best when they're nice and cold. They'll stay fresh in the fridge for three days but honestly they never last that long at my house. If you need to make them ahead they freeze beautifully just wrap them well.
My Best Tips
Always use fresh lemons for the best flavor. Take time pressing that crust evenly it makes such a difference. And don't skip the chilling time it makes cutting them so much neater. Sometimes I add an extra spoonful of sugar to the crust when I want them extra sweet.
Perfect for Any Occasion
These squares just make people happy. They're lovely for spring brunches perfect for summer picnics and honestly welcome any time of year. That combination of creamy filling and buttery crust with bright lemon flavor never fails to bring smiles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why cool before refrigerating?
- Allowing the bars to cool at room temperature first prevents condensation from forming, which could make the top sticky. It also prevents sudden temperature changes that could affect texture.
- → Why use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled?
- Fresh lemon juice provides brighter flavor and better balance. Combined with fresh zest, it gives the most authentic and vibrant lemon taste.
- → Can I make these ahead?
- Yes, these squares can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. The flavors actually develop nicely overnight.
- → Why line the pan with parchment?
- Parchment paper makes it easy to lift the entire dessert out of the pan for clean cutting. It also prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- → How do I know when they're done?
- The filling should be set but still slightly jiggly in the center. The edges will be lightly golden and slightly puffed.