Indulge in the perfect blend of sweet strawberries, creamy cheesecake, and tangy lemon with these delightful bars. Perfect for any occasion, they’re sure to be a hit at your next gathering or as a special treat for yourself.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- Zest of one lemon
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
- Additional powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and softened butter. Mix until crumbly.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even crust layer.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the cheesecake layer. In another mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest until fully combined.
- Gently fold in the diced strawberries until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Once the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the cheesecake mixture over the warm crust, spreading it out evenly.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the cheesecake layer is set and the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, or until chilled and firm.
- Before serving, cut the bars into squares and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
- Enjoy your strawberry cheesecake lemon bars as a delightful dessert or sweet snack!
