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Lemon Marbled Cheesecake Bars That Brighten Your Day Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

Lemon Marbled Cheesecake Bars are a bright and tangy dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth cheesecake filling with fresh lemon zest and juice, and a beautiful marbled lemon swirl. Topped with fresh berries, these bars are perfect for spring and summer gatherings that delight the senses with a refreshing citrus flavor and creamy texture.

Ingredients

For the Crust

  • 1 cup Graham Crackers or almond flour for gluten-free
  • 1/2 cup Butter melted

For the Cheesecake Filling

  • 16 oz Cream Cheese room temperature
  • 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar reduce for lower sugar
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract preferably pure
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Zest fresh
  • 1/4 cup Lemon Juice fresh
  • few drops Yellow Food Coloring optional

For the Decoration

  • 1 cup Fresh Berries for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up.
  2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers (or almond flour for gluten-free) with the melted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even crust. Bake the crust for 10 minutes to set.
  3. Prepare Cheesecake Batter: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese until completely smooth and creamy. Gradually add the granulated sugar, beating well after each addition. Then add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each. Stir in the vanilla extract and fresh lemon zest for bright flavor.
  4. Create Lemon Swirl: Reserve half of the cheesecake batter in a separate bowl. To the remaining half, mix in the fresh lemon juice and a few drops of yellow food coloring if using, to enhance the lemon marbling effect.
  5. Assemble the Bars: Pour the plain cheesecake batter over the baked crust, spreading it evenly. Dollop the lemon batter on top and use a skewer or knife to swirl the two batters together gently, creating a marbled pattern.
  6. Bake the Cheesecake Bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 minutes. The edges should be set while the center remains slightly jiggly for the perfect texture.
  7. Cool and Chill: After baking, turn the oven off and leave the door slightly open to let the bars cool in the oven for 1 hour. Then transfer the bars to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours to firm up completely.
  8. Serve: Once chilled, remove from the pan using the parchment paper, cut into bars, and garnish with fresh berries before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.

Notes

  • Use almond flour instead of graham crackers to make these bars gluten-free.
  • Reduce sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet dessert.
  • Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature for a smoother batter and better texture.
  • Swirling the batter gently ensures a pretty marbled pattern without overmixing.
  • Chill the bars thoroughly to achieve clean slices and the ideal creamy consistency.
  • If you don’t have yellow food coloring, the lemon juice alone will still provide great flavor and a subtle color.
  • Fresh berries complement the tart lemon flavor and add a colorful garnish.

Find it online: https://hotsavors.com/lemon-marbled-cheesecake-bars-that-brighten-your-day-recipe/