The Buttery Cheese Bars recipe you’re interested in is a delightful dessert option that’s perfect for both weeknights and larger gatherings, prepared in under 4 hours with just a bit of hands-on time. These bars feature a buttery crust topped with a creamy cheese filling, finished with a sweet and tangy sour cream topping. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the recipe:
Recipe Overview:
- Name: Buttery Cheese Bars
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Recipe Category: Cheesecake
- Keywords: Dessert, Weeknight, For Large Groups, < 4 Hours
- Servings: 24 bars
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup butter (cut into cubes for easier blending)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Nutritional Information per Serving (1 bar):
- Calories: 204.5
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8.7g
- Cholesterol: 54.6mg
- Sodium: 101.1mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 16.9g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Sugar: 7.3g
- Protein: 3.2g
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour and powdered sugar. Cut in cubed butter using a pastry blender until the mixture is crumbly.
- Form Crust: Press the mixture firmly onto the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of a 13×9 inch baking pan.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until it turns golden brown.
- Prepare Filling: Meanwhile, in a blender, combine softened cream cheese, eggs, evaporated milk, granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Blend until smooth.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the baked crust.
- Bake Filling: Bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the filling is set.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix together sour cream, 1/4 cup sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Apply Topping: Spread the sour cream mixture over the top of the baked bars.
- Final Bake: Return the bars to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, refrigerate them for several hours or overnight.
- Serve: Cut the chilled bars into squares before serving.
Recipe Notes:
- Ensure the cream cheese is well softened to achieve a smooth filling texture.
- The lemon juice and zest add a refreshing citrus flavor that balances the richness of the cheese and butter.
- Refrigerating the bars after baking allows them to set properly and enhances their flavor.
These Buttery Cheese Bars are a decadent treat with a buttery crust, creamy cheesecake-like filling, and a luscious sour cream topping, making them a perfect choice for any dessert table or special occasion.
