Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
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

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Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

2 dozen

Updated: Apr. 24, 2022

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

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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

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.
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.
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.

Test Kitchen tips

These rich bars are moist, almost like cake, with a pleasant lemon flavor.

When the edges are lightly browned and pull away from the sides of the pan, it's ready to come out of the oven. The center will look set.

Nutrition Facts

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

Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

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