These Creamy Lemon Squares taste just like a lemon cheesecake – so creamy and delicious!
This post brought to you by PHILADELPHIA cream cheese . All opinions are 100% mine.
Obviously one of my favorite things about the holidays is the food. It seems like during this particular time of year, there are so many great recipes to be tried that set my tastebuds a-tingling! There are so many amazing ingredients that are used specifically for the holiday season and then there are those that are used year-round  – like PHILADELPHIA cream cheese. PHILADELPHIA is great for holiday entertaining AND year-round enjoyment!
Sam’s Club and Kraft have joined forces to bring you meal solutions for the entire week. Breakfast to dinner and everything in between. I was checking out all the yummy recipes when I stumbled across the Creamy Lemon Squares. Now I LOVE anything lemon and lemon bars are a personal favorite of mine. Why had I never thought ot making them even better with cream cheese?
Creamy Lemon Squares
Ingredients
- 20 NILLA Wafers finely crushed
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup butter cold
- 8 oz PHILADELPHIA cream cheese 1 package, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp flour
- 3 tbsp lemon zest divided
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Line an 8x8 pan with foil.
- Mix first 3 ingredients in medium bowl.
- Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the crumbs onto the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar with mixer until well blended. Add eggs one at a time and 2 Tbsp. flour; mix well.
- Blend in 1 Tbsp. zest, juice and baking powder; pour over crust.
- Bake for 25 to 28 min. or until center is set. Let cool completely then refrigerate for 2 hours. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining zest before serving.
Nutrition
Some of my favorite PHILADELPHIA cream cheese recipes are my Triple Threat Chocolate Cheesecake, Pull-Apart Crescent Veggie Christmas Tree, Roasted Red Bell Pepper Dip and my Nana’s To-Die-For Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
PHILADELPHIA cream cheese is one of the most versatile ingredients I can think of. It works equally well in both savory and sweet applicatoins and just magically makes every more creamy and delicious when used. Can’t go wrong with PHILADELPHIA cream cheese!
What’s your favorite recipe that calls for Philadelphia cream cheese? Here are some of mine:
Cherry Cheesecake “Magic” Ice Cream
Reese’s Peanut Butter Mini Cheesecakes
Spicy Pulled Pork Popper Sandwich
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Katie says
Oh my goodness, these look amazing! Thank you for sharing on Blog Stalking Thursday! This is one of the most viewed links from last week’s party so I have featured you! I would love for you to stop by and grab a feature button, you deserve it!
http://www.thecraftyblogstalker.com/2013/01/blog-stalking-thursday-74.html
tanya says
I love lemon squares! These look wonderful! Bet they are tart and creamy and all around wonderful!
Jenn says
Sounds delicious! A little “Spring” to brighten up winter! 🙂
Holly Lefevre says
I am so ready for some new flavors…bring on the lemon – yum!
The Quiet Mom says
Soooooo yummy!
Hopping by and following your twitter, FB, SU and Pinterest.
I am also inviting you to join my store’s first giveaway event http://thequietmom.com/blog/tdhs-1st-giveaway
Emily says
Pining this now to make sometime soon. Looks heavenly!
Emily says
I love love love anything and everything lemon. These look amazing!!!
cass says
Looks yummy, but could I use butter instead of margarine? Would it be the same amount?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes and yes 🙂 I actually used butter even though the recipe called for margarine.
DesignedByBH says
These look great! My husband will love you for sharing this–thank you!
Six Sisters says
Your Lemon squares look so delicious! We are big Lemon Square fans. Thanks for linking up to our Strut Your Stuff Saturday! Have a Happy New Year. -The Six Sisters
Chloe says
Yum, these look tasty! Pinning this recipe, definitely going to have to try it!
Southern Gal says
My sister’s birthday is next month and she LOVES all things lemon. I’ll have to give these a try. thanks.
Kimberly @ A Night Owl says
Wow Trish! These look amazing – I love anything lemon, pinning to make these for sure! Thanks for sharing! xo, Kimberly
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Okay, so this settles it. I’m making something lemon this week! YUM!
Jenn says
Those look very tasty!