Description
Indulge in the refreshing citrus flavors of these Zesty Lemon Cream Dream Bars. A luscious combination of creamy lemon filling atop a buttery graham cracker crust, these bars are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Lemon Cream Filling:
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Extra lemon zest or thin lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make the crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press into an 8×8-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8–10 minutes and let cool.
- Prepare the filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add condensed milk, lemon juice, and zest, mix until creamy. In a separate bowl, whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into lemon mixture.
- Assemble the bars: Spread filling over cooled crust. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set.
- Serve: Slice into bars and garnish with lemon zest or slices if desired.
Notes
- For a firmer texture, freeze bars for 1 hour before slicing.
- Best served chilled.
- Recipe can be doubled for a 9×13 pan.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake (with baked crust)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
