Cream Cheese Lemon Bars

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter (2 sticks, chilled and cut into small cubes)
• 8 ounce cream cheese (softened)
• 2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar (plus more for topping)
• 6 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x13 inch pan with foil or parchment with plenty of overhang around the edges to lift the bars out of the pan before cutting.
2. 2 Prepare the crust by combining flour, sugar, salt, and butter cubes in a food processor or blender. Cover and pulse until fine crumbs form. (You can also do this with a pastry cutter, fork, or with your fingers in a large bowl.)
3. 3 Press crust into prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes while you prepare the filling.
4. 4 Prepare the filling by combining cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl. Cream together until smooth. Mix in flour, powdered sugar, lemon juice, eggs, and vanilla until completely incorporated.
5. 5 Pour filling over crust and return to oven for 30 minutes.
6. 6 Allow to cool for about 20 minutes, then cover and transfer chill in the fridge 4 hours or overnight. Lift the foil edges to remove the bars from the pan, slice into squares, sprinkle with additional powdered sugar, and serve.

NUTRITION

Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g