Delicious Lemon Cream Cheese Squares Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup of unsalted butter softened
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons of lemon zest
1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Make the Crust: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until it is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Prepare the Filling: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth. Add the egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and mix until everything is well combined.
Assemble and Bake: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the slightly cooled crust, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly golden around the edges.
Cool and Serve: Allow the lemon cream cheese squares to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares.