Description
These no-bake lemon cheesecake bars are a refreshing, tangy, and creamy summer dessert that requires no oven. With just five simple ingredients and under 30 minutes of prep time, they are the perfect light treat for hot days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (200g) graham crackers, crushed
- 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (for crust)
- 16 ounces (450g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream, cold
- ½ cup (120ml) fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (for filling)
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides for easy removal.
- Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs. In a medium bowl, mix crumbs with melted butter, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest until it resembles wet sand.
- Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan using the bottom of a measuring cup. Refrigerate while making the filling.
- In a large, cold bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons lemon zest until just combined.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula until no white streaks remain.
- Pour the filling over the chilled crust and spread evenly. Tap the pan to release air bubbles.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until firm.
- Lift bars out of the pan using parchment paper. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares, wiping the knife between cuts for clean edges.
Notes
Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps. Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor; bottled juice can taste metallic. Chill time is crucial for the bars to set properly. For clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it between slices. These bars can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 4
Keywords: no-bake, lemon cheesecake, summer dessert, easy dessert, 5-ingredient recipe, gluten-free option, dairy-free option