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Home » Desserts » Cookies & Bars » Lemon Cheesecake Squares

Lemon Cheesecake Squares

Last Updated December 20, 2021. Published December 4, 2021 By Rosemary 44 Comments

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These Lemon Cheesecake Squares are made with a shortbread base and topped with a creamy Lemony filling. This cheesecake bar is the perfect addition to your Holiday Cookie tray or even as a Summer or anytime dessert! So delicious it will be eaten first.

3 lemon cheesecake squares on a white dish.

Lemon Cheesecake

Lemon Cheesecake Squares were always a Christmas tradition in my home in Canada. Have I ever said I love cheesecake? Well, I do! And these, I must say, are the easiest and tastiest ones out there, from the almond shortbread crust to the creamy lemon filling. They are perfect.

Now I make them with my daughters each holiday season, and I always think I’ll make a batch and freeze them, but it never works. Not because they aren’t freezer-friendly, but we can’t resist eating them first!

What I like so much about these lemon cheesecake squares, besides being so darned delicious, is the light taste of almonds in the shortbread base and that excellent creamy lemon filling, the lemon flavor with the cookie crust is the best match.

If you want a fantastic dessert bar for the holidays, you must give these a try. My Italian friends and family always look forward to a gift box at Christmas filled with all their favourite Cookies and Bars, including these lemon cheesecake bars.

Lemon cheesecake squares on a white plate.

Ingredients

  • All purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Packed brown sugar
  • Finely chopped almonds
  • Melted butter
  • Softened Cream cheese – I don’t recommend using light or fat-free cream cheese. The full-fat cream cheese makes the best creamy, rich filling.
  • Granulated sugar
  • Large egg – or two medium-sized eggs
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon zest

Recipe Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease and flour (or use non-stick cooking spray) in an 8″ (21 cm) square pan.

Make the crust first by combining the flour, sugar, almonds, and melted butter in a mixing bowl. Mix until it’s crumbly. If it’s too dry and crumbly, add a little more melted butter.

Making the base in a silver mixing bowl.

Firmly press the dough into the prepared pan and bake the crust for 15 minutes. Let it cool for five minutes before you add the filling.

The base in the pan before & after baking.

While the crust bakes, you can make the filling. With a handheld electric mixer and a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and zest at medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. 

Making the lemon cheesecake filling in the mixing bowl.

Spread the cheesecake batter over the warm crust and then bake the bars for 20 to 25 minutes. 

Cheesecake filling on the base before and after baking.

Take the pan out of the oven and run a knife around the edge of the crust. Cool the bars to room temperature, and then cover the baking pan with plastic wrap. Chill them in the refrigerator for at least two hours before slicing them with a sharp knife.

Recipe Tips

To make it even easier to slice the bars, line the baking pan with parchment paper so you can lift the cheesecake out in one piece before cutting it into squares.

Be sure to plan because the bars need time to cool and then need to be chilled for at least two hours. This allows the lemon cheesecake filling to set fully.

For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract to the cream cheese filling.

You can also use a graham cracker crust for this recipe. 

For the holidays, I slice small bars to give away to friends and family. You can also serve large pieces for dessert to finish a meal.

Lemon Cheesecake squares on a black board.

FAQs

How to store Lemon cheesecake squares

Keep the bars in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them. Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in a single layer. They will keep for several days in the fridge as long as they properly stored.

How to freeze them

Freeze them in a freezer safe container, I find it easiest to cut them into squares, place the squares on a cookie sheet and freeze for an hour or 2 until firm, then move to a freezer safe container, be sure to place parchment paper between the layers. They will keep for about 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw the cookies in the fridge, best to remove the layers before thawing.

How to tell when cheesecake is baked

Gently shake the cheesecake (be careful it’s very hot). If it looks almost set, with only a small centre circle that jiggles slightly it is done. The cheesecake will firm up while it cools.

I’ve always loved these cheesecake bars, and everyone who tries one loves them, too. They’re cold and creamy with that delicious almond crust. If you love lemon desserts, you need to try them. Enjoy!

Up close lemon cheesecake square.

More Delicious Lemon Recipes.

  • Lemon Tiramisu Cake
  • Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
  • Italian Lemon Crostata
  • Italian Fresh Cream Lemon Cake
  • Best Homemade Lemon Bread
  • Tablespoon Italian Lemon Cake
Cheesecake squares on a white plate.

Lemon Cheesecake Squares

Rosemary Molloy
A delicious almond shortbread base with a creamy lemony filling. The perfect Cookie Bar or Dessert recipe. 
3.97 from 26 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
chilling time 2 hrs
Total Time 2 hrs 50 mins
Course Bars, Christmas Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 20 squares
Calories 147 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

FOR THE BASE

  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (195 grams)
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar (96 grams)
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons almonds (finely chopped) (52 grams)
  • 1/4 cup +2 tablespoons butter (melted & cooled)* (79 grams)

*If you find the mixture too crumbly add another 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

    CREAM CHEESE FILLING

    • 10 ounces Cream Cheese (whole not light) room temperature (300 grams)
    • ½ cup + 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar (158 grams)
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • zest from 1 lemon

    Instructions
     

    • Pre heat oven to 350 degrees (180 degrees celsius). Lightly grease and flour an 8 inch (21 cm) square cake pan.

    FOR THE BASE

    • In a small bowl with a fork combine flour, sugar and almonds, add butter and  combine just until mixture is crumbly. Place mixture in the prepared cake pan and press down firmly. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool approximately 5 minutes before adding the filling.

    CREAM CHEESE FILLING

    • While the base is baking make the filling, in a medium bowl beat at medium speed the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon juice and zest together until smooth and creamy, approximately 2 minutes.
    • Spread the filling evenly on top. Bake again for approximately 20-25 minutes or until set. Remove from the oven and run a knife around the edge of the pan, let cool, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for approximately 2 hours before cutting. Enjoy!

    Notes

    For room temperature remove from the fridge 60 minutes before using.
    Gently shake the cheesecake (wear oven mitts it’s very hot). If it looks almost set, with only a small centre circle that jiggles slightly, it is done.
    Keep the bars in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them. Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in a single layer. They will keep for several days in the fridge as long as they properly stored.
    Freeze them in a freezer safe container, I find it easiest to cut them into squares, place the squares on a cookie sheet and freeze for an hour or 2 until firm, then move to a freezer safe container, and place parchment paper between the layers. They will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw the cookies in the fridge, best to remove the layers before thawing.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 81mgPotassium: 51mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 316IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword easy lemon cheesecake, lemon cheesecake, lemon cheesecake bars, lemon cheesecake squares
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Republished from July 2016.

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      Filed Under: Christmas, Christmas Cookies, Cookies & Bars, Desserts, fruit, Nuts

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      1. Kelly says

        December 18, 2021 at 4:18 am

        5 stars
        About to make for my fourth year! My eldest grandson’s favorite and an absolute hit everywhere they go! So refresging. Thank you!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 18, 2021 at 8:40 pm

          Hi Kelly thanks so much, they were always one of my favourites also. Have a wonderful Christmas.

          Reply
      2. Ronnie says

        December 16, 2021 at 7:52 pm

        Is it possible to do this receipe ‘gluten free’?

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 16, 2021 at 8:37 pm

          Hi Ronnie, I don’t really know because I have never made them gluten free. If you try it let me know how it goes.

          Reply
      3. Chelsea Ruel says

        December 29, 2020 at 12:38 am

        Hi,
        This looks delicious and I’d love to make it. The recipe description says to use an 8″ square pan but the recipe card says to use a 9″ square pan. Can this be made with either? I only have an 8″ pan.
        Many thanks,
        Chelsea

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 29, 2020 at 8:54 am

          Hi Chelsea, yes you can make it in an 8 inch pan, it will just be a little bit thicker. Happy New Year.

          Reply
      4. Glo says

        December 14, 2020 at 3:55 pm

        This recipe sounds easy and delicious. I plan on making this today and was wondering since I have two 8 oz bricks of cream cheese that I would like to use up. Is it possible to adjust the recipe for the 16 oz a cream cheese. Thank you!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 14, 2020 at 5:22 pm

          Hi Glo if you go to the servings you can move the lever to 27 squares and that will give you the ingredients you need for 16 ounces of cream cheese. Hope that helps.

          Reply
      5. SHERRY DISTEFANO says

        October 7, 2020 at 1:45 am

        5 stars
        EASY, QUICK AND DELICIOUS LIGHT FLUFFY LEMONY CHEESECAKE TYPE BAR DESERT! 5 STARS!!!
        SHERRY FROM WEST DEPTFORD, NJ

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          October 7, 2020 at 9:54 am

          Hi Sherry, thanks so glad you liked them. Take care.

          Reply
      6. Annette says

        August 13, 2020 at 8:40 pm

        225 g does not equal 12 oz, it is only 8 oz, which amount did you use?

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          August 14, 2020 at 10:13 am

          Hi Annette, yes you are correct, it should be 340 grams, which is what I used. Thanks.

          Reply
      7. Kat says

        June 29, 2020 at 9:41 pm

        This recipe sounds delicious and I am going to make it very soon … but thought you should know that while the recipe ingredients call for sugar and brown sugar, the directions for both crust and filling each just say “sugar”. I assume the brown sugar is for the crust.

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          June 29, 2020 at 11:02 pm

          Hi Kat, the recipe card at the bottom of the post, does give the type of sugar and amount for the base and for the filling. And yes the brown sugar is for the filling. Let me know how it goes.

          Reply
      8. Marie says

        March 29, 2020 at 3:15 am

        are the almonds measured out before or after they’ve been chopped

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          March 29, 2020 at 6:38 pm

          Hi Marie, the measurement is for chopped almonds. Hope you like it.

          Reply
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      Hi, I'm Rosemary.

      Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More

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