Three delicious layers, Nilla wafer crust, lemon cheesecake center and a lemon white chocolate chip cookie top. A lemon lovers dream come true!
I was fortunate to receive a whole bunch of lemons from my cousin’s tree in San Diego about a week ago. You all know how much I LOVE my lemons!
I knew they were coming, my mom and her husband spend about 6 weeks in San Diego every winter. She stops to visit her cousin, and always brings me back lemons and avocados. When I signed up to make a cheesecake for this fun round up called #SixteenCheesecakes, I decided I wanted to use some of my lemons!
Instead of a traditional cheesecake, I decided to make cheesecake bars. I had found this recipe on Pinterest a while back, and knew this was what I wanted to do!
These cheesecake bars are so good, they should be illegal! The bottom is a crust made of Nilla Wafer cookies, the middle, a perfectly creamy lemon cheesecake, and the top? … Well, the top is a lemon white chocolate chip cookie layer, that makes this all just pure lemon love.
I can’t wait any longer … let’s get on to that recipe!
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Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Three delicious layers, vanilla wafer crust, lemon cheesecake center and a lemon white chocolate chip cookie top. A lemon lovers dream come true!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 60 Nilla Wafers
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 stick butter, melted
Cheesecake Layer:
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- zest of one lemon
Cookie Topping:
- 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cup flour
- Zest of one lemon
- 1 (11 ounce) package White Chocolate morsels
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13x9 baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
To make the crust: In your food processor, pulse Vanilla Wafer cookies with sugar until fine crumbs. Add in melted butter and pulse again until combined.
Firmly Press crumbs into the bottom of prepared baking dish.
To make the cheesecake filling: Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon extract and lemon zest using the whisk attachment of your stand mixer. Beat until light and fluffy and smooth (about 4 minutes). Pour filling over Vanilla wafer crust.
To make the cookie dough: Beat butter and sugar for 2 minutes. Add in egg, vanilla and lemon zest and beat once again until combined. Add in baking powder, salt and flour, mixing until incorporated. Fold in white chocolate morsels. Using your fingers, grab small portions of dough, and flatten with your fingers, placing over the top of the cheesecake layer. Continue until covered completely.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until top is lightly browned. The center will still be kind of jiggly. Allow to cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight). Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
Original Recipe: Shugary Sweets
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 388 Total Fat: 21g Saturated Fat: 12g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 85mg Sodium: 178mg Carbohydrates: 48g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 35g Protein: 4g
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What is #SixteenCheesecakes ?
Last year Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla rallied some blogging friends to help her celebrate her 15th wedding anniversary. She was only looking for fifteen cheesecake recipes. But we posted waaaaaay more than #FifteenCheesecakes.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to know! Snap a picture, share the photo on social media with the hashtag #AnAffairFromTheHeart – I’d love to see what you made! – Michaela
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
oh my…..I can almost taste the tart sweet goodness of these bars.
Camilla @ Culinary Adventures says
I cannot believe how much I want one of these right now, Michaela. Oh, my. Lemon + cheesecake. I can’t wait to try these.
Michaela Kenkel says
I’m so glad you like them! Happy Anniversary!
Tara says
Oh wow! Just love that cookie layer on top!
Cindy Kerschner says
I absolutely love lemon! You know I’ll be all over these!
Lauren says
Please, please, please send me some yummy lemons!!!!
This sounds absolutely fantastic and it’s going on my must make list for next week!! I do have some lemons setting on the counter that need used 😛
Michaela Kenkel says
The fresh ones she brings me are so amazing! I hope you love these too!!
Amy | Amy's Cooking Adventures says
Love the idea of cheesecake bars! And lemon is so perfect for this time of year!
Michaela Kenkel says
Thanks Amy!
Christie says
These look so delicious. I love the lemon in desserts like cheesecakes. It makes them so light and refreshing.
Debra Eliotseats says
The vanilla wafer crust sounds fabulous. I love me some lemons, too, so this is on the next baking day list.
Michaela Kenkel says
Thanks! These were a hit at our house!
Julie says
Love lemon desserts. Just says Springtime! Beautiful
Sarah says
I love lemon desserts. This sounds spectacular!
cookaholic wife says
Looks amazing! I love lemon desserts.
Sid's Sea Palm Cooking says
I just hope my Meyer Lemon tree makes lots of lemons this year, cause I think I need to make this dessert.