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–+ servings
A stack of glistening creamy lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar, ready to be enjoyed.

Creamy Lemon Bars: The Ultimate Tangy Treat

Indulge in these creamy lemon bars, an elevated classic featuring a unique brown butter Nilla wafer crust for incredible depth. This surprisingly easy recipe delivers a perfect balance of tangy lemon and rich sweetness, making it a sophisticated yet comforting treat for any occasion.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 20 Nilla Wafers (finely crushed)
  • ½ cup flour
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
  • ¼ cup butter (cold, no substitutions)
  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese (1/3-less fat cream cheese is okay)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 3 tablespoons lemon peel (grated, divided)
  • ¼ cup lemon juice (fresh highly recommended)
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • powdered sugar

Equipment

  • 8-inch square baking pan
  • Foil or parchment paper
  • Non-stick spray
  • Medium bowl
  • Pastry blender (or two knives)
  • large mixing bowl
  • electric mixer
  • Wire rack
  • Fine grater or microplane
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Prepare for Baking
  1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, ensuring the ends extend over the sides of the pan for easy removal later. Give it a light spray with non-stick spray and set it aside.
Craft the Brown Butter Nilla Wafer Crust
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the finely crushed Nilla Wafer crumbs, ½ cup flour, and the firmly packed brown sugar. Chop your cold butter into small pieces. Use a pastry blender to cut the butter into the crumb mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly onto the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake this fragrant crust for 15 minutes, allowing those nutty brown butter notes to develop beautifully.
Whip Up the Silky Lemon Filling
  1. While the crust is baking, prepare the luscious filling. In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until they are wonderfully smooth and well blended. Add the eggs (also at room temperature), vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons of flour, and the baking powder. Mix well until everything is thoroughly incorporated. Finally, blend in 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon zest and the fresh lemon juice, pouring the vibrant mixture over your warm, pre-baked crust.
Bake and Chill to Perfection
  1. Carefully transfer the pan back to the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the center is just set with a slight jiggle. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. After cooling, cover the pan and refrigerate the creamy lemon bars for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight. Just before cutting into squares to serve, sprinkle them with powdered sugar and the remaining 2 tablespoons of grated lemon peel for a beautiful, aromatic finish.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 70mgSugar: 28gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For best results, use room temperature eggs and cream cheese. Ensure bars are thoroughly chilled, preferably overnight, for optimal setting and flavor development. Dust with powdered sugar and lemon peel just before serving to prevent melting. Use a warm, sharp knife for clean cuts.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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