Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling
Yield 2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
I won a baking contest at Purdue University with this recipe for lemon bars with cream cheese frosting. I think you’ll love the dreamy topping. —Michael Hunter, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons lemon extract
  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and extract. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in lemon zest.
  2. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until center is set and edges are golden brown. Cool completely.
  3. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and zest. Frost top and cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 243 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 145mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.

I won a baking contest at Purdue University with this recipe for lemon bars with cream cheese frosting. I think you’ll love the dreamy topping. —Michael Hunter, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Recipe Creator

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