It's spring! At least I'm pretending spring is here. If I could just get the weather to cooperate. Such a tease, have a day or two of 70 degrees and then bam! It's freezing cold again and I'm having to dig out the turtlenecks and sweaters. I really wish the weather would make up it's mind.
Today is so dreary I need a little sunshine in my life so in come lemons! Something about that pretty yellow color, that tart juice. I love watching the kids suck on lemons, they try so hard not to let their faces pucker up but isn't that the point of sucking on a lemon? Yes it tastes good but I should really have the camera ready any time they get their hands on one. Definitely a good way to make a rainy day a little brighter.
So after letting the kids pucker up for a few minutes and having lots of laughter fill the kitchen, I need to commandeer the rest of my lemons and make a treat. I could make Lemon Sugar Cookies, Lemon Bread or Lemon Crumb Squares but I'm in the mood for something a little less sweet. These Lemon Cheese Bars were perfect.
Lemon Cheese Bars
makes 16 small bars
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, divided
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 package cream cheese, softened (8 ounces)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1 egg
With a pastry blender or 2 knives, blend together flour, nuts, butter and 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar till crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup crumb mixture. Press remaining mixture into the bottom of a greased 8x8 pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 18-20 minutes, just until edges start to turn golden.
While crust is baking, combine remaining ingredients and beat until smooth.
Remove crust from oven and pour cheese mixture over crust. Crumble reserved flour mixture over top of cheese mixture. Return to oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire rack, then refrigerate until chilled.
For ease in cutting dip knife in hot water after each cut.
I'm sharing at some of these great parties.
Wow these look AMAZING! I love lemon everything :)
ReplyDeletelemon adds such a refreshing flavor. and mixed with cheese its either like cheesecake or a danish and both are delicious and this looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteJoan, I would love to know your definition of "freezing cold" is down there in Georgia! Up here in Wisconsin, we have highs in the 20s all this week. Boo! :( Don't know how much more winter I can take. I might have to come visit you. :) These bars are just the breath of spring I need. They look amazing; can't wait to try them.
ReplyDeleteLesa, I take back everything I said about the cold, it was a balmy 50 degrees here. And you are welcome here any time!
DeleteI'm drooling right now!! This sounds like the perfect combo of tart and sweet!
ReplyDeleteHi! My daughter lives in Athens GA and I am on my way there on Monday, from WI:) We are in the midst of another "winter" snow storm so anything to me above 40 degrees is a heat wave:) Your Lemon Cheese Bars look wonderful, Great for Easter! Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
ReplyDeleteI'd like to pretend it's spring too. These are the perfect way to do just that Joan!
ReplyDeleteI am up for pretending it is Spring here too! I am so over the clouds and cold rainy days!! Hooray for bright lemony desserts to keep our spirits up!!!
ReplyDeleteI bet those are the perfect balance of tart and sweet - would taste fantastic with a big glass of milk!
ReplyDeleteOMG Joan, perfect. I am addicted to Lemon!
ReplyDeleteI love lemon bars and these look so good! Can't wait to try them, thanks!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes...I'll be making these for my next book club! I love anything lemon! Thanks for sharing this recipe :)
ReplyDeleteYou are killing me. LOL. These look simply divine and I would eat too many of them. Delish!
ReplyDeleteThese look amazing! Wondering if you could sub lemon zest and/or fresh lemon juice for the lemon extract tho?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these, Joan! These are a WIN in my book. Stopping by from Tasty Thursdays! Have a fabulous weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteJulie @ This Gal Cooks
I've been craving lemon sweets lately (cakes, cookies)and now will be craving your scrumptious bars:)
ReplyDeleteThese look and sound amazing. Lemons are so refreshing. Here in Honduras they have giant lemons. They're great to make lemonade but could make these bars with them. I can taste them now. Can't wait to try them.
ReplyDeleteWe may have met by chance...but we become friends by choice.
http://simpleesue.com/top-tip-for-today-10-household-uses-for-milk/
Lemon is such a favorite of mine so these bars look incredibly good to me. The weather here has done the same thing, yesterday it was in the 70's and today really cold and had to drag the boots back out.
ReplyDeleteMMMMMM delish!
ReplyDeleteYummy! Just saw your link over at Tidy Mom and thought I'd come and check it out :)
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE for you to link up a few recipes, projects or crafts at my weekend Link Party {The Weekend re-Treat} on The Best Blog Recipes that is going on right now! http://thebestblogrecipes.blogspot.com/
Hope to see you there!
These look great! The lemon sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing these at Two Cup Tuesday at Pint Sized Baker.
ReplyDeleteI sympathize. I've been doing the, "Oh it's so dreary! I need lemons!" thing since January. I can't wait for spring! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd more lemon?! Yay! These look amazing. Love the topping!
Stop! You are simply making my mouth water with these lemony delights! Keep the lemon treats coming.
ReplyDeleteI made these yesterday. So good! I doubled the recipe and used a 9x13 pan. I messed up by forgetting to put the eggs in the filling (oops!), but they turned out just fine anyway. Still firm enough to pick up and eat. My dinner guests loved them. The perfect springtime dessert. Thanks Joan!
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ReplyDeleteThese look so yummy! We shared over on FB and everyone thought they looked great. Thanks for sharing with us over at Real Housemoms for Fabulous Fridays!
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