Lemon Cream Cheese Bars: A Delightful Recipe

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury® Recipe Creations®), divided
• 2 lemons, zested and juiced, divided
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons white sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, ensuring an overhang; then, lightly coat with cooking spray.
2. Unroll one roll of crescent dough and gently press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, stretching it to fit the edges.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice and ¾ of the lemon zest. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and ½ cup of sugar into the juice-zest mixture until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency. Spread this mixture evenly over the crescent roll dough in the baking dish.
4. Unroll the remaining crescent roll dough and carefully place it over the cream cheese mixture, stretching it to reach the edges. Brush the top of the dough with melted butter. In a separate small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of sugar with the remaining ¼ of lemon zest. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered top.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until the top attains a beautiful golden brown color, approximately 30 minutes. Allow the bars to cool for about 20 minutes.
6. Using the foil overhang, gently lift the dessert from the baking dish and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut the dessert into squares, leaving the foil underneath. Return the bars to the baking dish and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, for at least 1 hour.

Nutrition

• Calories: 171 kcal
• Fat Content: 12 g
• Fiber Content: 0 g
• Sugar Content: 7 g
• Sodium Content: 209 mg
• Protein Content: 3 g
• Cholesterol Content: 23 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 15 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g