Who said indulgence couldn’t be light and refreshing at the same time? Lemon Cream Cheese Bars taste like sunshine on a summer’s day and are just as beautiful! A tangy, zesty, creamy lemon and cream cheese filling nestled between two buttery layers of crescent roll, so every bite is rich, bright, and charming. Topped with lemon sugar for extra sweet citrus flavor, Lemon Cream Cheese Bars are sure to delight everyone who tries them! Everyone will be beaming as they eat these!
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough, divided
- 2 lemons, zested, juiced, and divided
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons white sugar, divided
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Line the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
Step 3 –Open and unroll 1 can of the crescent roll dough.
Step 4 –Press the unrolled dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, stretching it to the edges.
Step 5 –Mix the zest of 1 1/2 lemons and the juice of 2 lemons in a bowl.
Step 6 –Beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup white sugar into the lemon juice mixture with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Step 7 –Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crescent roll dough.
Step 8 –Open and unroll the remaining can of crescent roll dough.
Step 9 –Layer the crescent dough over the cream cheese layer, gently stretching it to the edges.
Step 10 –Brush the melted butter over the top of the top crescent dough layer.
Step 11 –Mix the remaining lemon zest and white sugar in a bowl.
Step 12 –Sprinkle the lemon zest and sugar mixture over the melted butter.
Step 13 –Bake until the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Step 14 –Allow the dessert to cool for 20 minutes.
Step 15 –Lift the dessert from the baking dish and transfer it to a cutting board.
Step 16 –Cut the dessert into squares, leaving it on the foil.
Step 17 –Return the bars to the baking dish and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
Step 18 –Serve cool.