Description
Elegant Lemon Marbled Cheesecake Bars are a refreshing, creamy dessert with a buttery graham cracker crust and a vibrant swirl of lemon zest and juice. Perfect for spring or summer gatherings, these bars are both beautiful and bursting with citrus flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for crust)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 16 oz (2 blocks) cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2–3 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add 2/3 cup sugar and beat until combined.
- Mix in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla, sour cream, and optional flour. Stir until smooth.
- Set aside 1/3 cup of the batter in a separate bowl and mix it with lemon juice, zest, and optional food coloring.
- Pour plain batter over cooled crust and smooth the top.
- Drop spoonfuls of lemon mixture over the top and swirl gently with a toothpick.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes or until edges are set and center jiggles slightly.
- Turn off oven, crack the door, and let bars cool for 15 minutes inside.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Lift bars using parchment, slice with a clean knife, and serve chilled.