No-Bake Lemon Bars
Looking for a summertime dessert that’s light and refreshing? These no-bake lemon bars are it!
They’re tart and sweet and just slightly decadent. The cream cheese adds a ton of flavor without being too heavy. Unflavored gelatin helps set the filling until it’s just perfect.
It’s pretty easy to make the lemon bars, but the best part about this recipe is that you’re likely to already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen.
Need more reasons why this recipe is awesome? There’s no need for an oven so you won’t even heat up your house. Just pop them in the refrigerator. Boom!
No-Bake Lemon Bars Recipe
These no-bake lemon bars are the perfect summertime tangy and sweet treat. You won't even have to fire up that hot oven to make them!
Ingredients
Yield: 9 servings
crust
- 9 graham crackers, 1 sleeve
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
filling
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese, room temperature
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 zest of lemon, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
- 3 Tbsp water, boiling
garnish
- lemon zest, grated
Instructions
- Line an 8" square baking dish with parchment paper, spray with cooking spray and set aside.
- Pulse graham crackers in a food processor until they are fine crumbs, then mix in brown sugar and salt. Stir in melted butter and mix until butter evenly coats crumbs and the mixture resembles damp sand.
- Spread mixture into prepared pan then press firmly into an even layer using a flat-bottomed cup.
- Beat cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whip attachment. Add in zest and lemon juice and mix until completely combined.
- Pour boiling water into a small bowl and add gelatin while whisking to avoid lumps. Whisk until completely dissolved. With mixer on medium speed, slowly drizzle gelatin into cream cheese mixture and mix until completely incorporated.
- Pour lemon cream cheese mixture over crust and spread evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Cut into squares and serve cold with a sprinkling of freshly grated lemon.
Notes
Top the bars with a little bit of lemon zest for a fun splash of color!
Calories: 407kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 61mg, Sodium: 297mg, Potassium: 299mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 40g
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