Description
Indulgent lazy day lemon cream pie bars offer silky smoothness with zesty citrus charm. Creamy layers and buttery crust promise delightful comfort that delights dessert enthusiasts from first elegant bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups (375 milliliters) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (75 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 1 package (8 ounces / 226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (14 ounces / 397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Create the graham cracker foundation by combining crumbs with sugar and melted butter, pressing the mixture uniformly across the pan’s bottom to form a compact base.
- Bake the crust for precisely 10 minutes, then allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
- Craft the lemon cream filling by whisking cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, fresh lemon juice, and zest until the mixture achieves a silky, homogeneous consistency.
- Carefully transfer the lemon cream filling over the cooled crust, ensuring an even distribution with a gentle spatula.
- Chill the pie bars in the refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours, allowing the filling to set and develop a firm texture.
- Prepare the whipped cream topping by combining heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, whipping until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Delicately spread the whipped cream across the chilled lemon filling, creating a light and airy layer.
- Slice into square portions and serve chilled for a refreshing dessert experience.
Notes
- Achieve a perfect crust by pressing graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the pan, ensuring no loose crumbs remain.
- Prevent cracks in the filling by beating cream cheese and condensed milk at room temperature and avoiding overmixing.
- Enhance lemon flavor by using fresh lemon juice and zest from organic lemons, which provide more intense citrus notes.
- Make gluten-free by substituting graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for a similar texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg