lemon bar recipe

It just wouldn’t be the holidays without sharing something for the sweet tooth, and we thought one of our very fave recipes this time of year was just the ticket. We were a little overdue and are so excited about this lemon bar recipe. (While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out all our other recipes here.)

You know when a long-lost food comes back into your life, and you’re suddenly over-the-moon delighted?

Maybe we should get out more, but we’ve recently revisited the idea of lemon bars, and well, they just make us happy. We’ve found over the years, that they need just the right combo of cake mix and lemon, or they’re not as fantastical as one would hope. Just the right combo of sweet and tart… and these, my friends, are the perfect blend.

We were pretty inspired over Thanksgiving when we had a bite or two of these from a local bakery and thought we’d definitely make some of our own. 

So here’s what you’ll need to make your own lemon bars!

• super moist yellow cake mix
• lemon
• spreadable Butter
• 3 eggs
• 8oz package of spreadable cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Lemon bar: crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. The in a large bowl, beat 1 egg with 1/2 cup butter until blended. 

Add the cake mix. Beat until blended and there is no dry mix left. Feel free to add a little bit of water to the mix as well.

Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.

Lemon Bar: the topping

In another bowl whip the cream cheese and 2 TBSP lemon juice and 3 tsp zest of a lemon. 

Add the powdered sugar and blend together.

Remove half of the mixture and place it in the refrigerator to use for later.

Add two eggs to the mixture, still in the bowl and beat until blended.

Spread the lemon bar mixture evenly over the cake batter and cook for 25 minutes.

Lemon Bar: Final prep

Once cooked, cool the pan completely for about 1 1/2 hours.

Once it’s cool, spread the leftover mixture over the bars and sprinkle with powder sugar.

Place it in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours to chill. Then cut in squares to serve.

We were a little overdue to share a new fun recipe. We hope you can use this simple little recipe for some of your gatherings this holidaisical season. 

As always, let us know if you try it!

Have an inspired day!