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A cheesecake lemon square with fresh icing next to a fork.
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5 from 1 vote

Easy Lemon Cheesecake Bars (With Lemon Curd)

These easy Lemon Cheesecake Bars are the perfect mix of creamy, tangy, and downright delicious! A buttery graham cracker crust, smooth cheesecake filling, and a bright lemon curd topping. Plus, they’re super easy to whip up with just 15 minutes of hands-on time! Best of all, no need to fuss over a full cheesecake!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Chilling3 hours
Total Time3 hours 40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 pieces
Calories: 350kcal
Author: Danielle

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1.5 cup graham cracker crumbs 11-12 sheets
  • 8 tablespoon butter melted
  • 3 tablespoon granulated sugar

Filling

  • 16 oz cream cheese very soft
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 eggs
  • cup lemon curd homemade or store-bought

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 or 9x9 pan with parchment (use a sling if you want to remove the bars completely). Then spray with baking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until evenly combined. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan, using a flat measuring cup or tamper to press down and pack the crust very firmly. (If using full graham cracker sheets, use a food processor to zoom them into fine crumbs first).
  • Bake the crust for 8-9 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Set aside to cool.
  • In a large bowl, use hand beaters to combine cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest on medium speed until smooth. Scrape well.
  • Add the eggs and combine on low speed until just combined. Don't overmix.
  • Pour filling over the crust. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the center is almost set, but still a bit jiggly. Remove and set on a wire rack to cool to room temperature (1-2 hours). Once cool, refrigerate in the pan for 3-4 hours.
  • Once chilled and ready to serve, use an offset spatula to spread the lemon curd evenly on top. Slice the bars and serve.

Notes

Tips & Tricks
    • For the best results, lean toward underbaking rather than overbaking to keep the cheesecake bars creamy and smooth.
    • Use fresh graham crackers and crush them yourself for the best-tasting crust. Pre-made crumbs just don’t have the same flavor.
    • For easier slicing, cut the bars when they’re really cold or even slightly frozen for the cleanest edges.
    • Always zest the lemon before juicing—it’s much easier that way.
    • If the jar of lemon curd is a bit too stiff to spread across the top, gently warm in the microwave for 10 seconds, giving a good whisk each time until just loose enough to spread but not actually warm.
How to cut
The absolute best way to get clean, even slices is to pop the bars in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour—just enough to firm them up. Then, grab a Victorinox serrated knife. Any knife will do, but we have found that this one works like magic for smooth, precise cuts

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 810IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg
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