Creamy Lemon Squares


These treats reminded me of a tangy lemon cheesecake. You could certainly use full fat cookies and cream cheese, but believe me, they are satisfyingly decadent as is.

adapted from Kraft Food and Family

20 reduced fat vanilla wafer cookies
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cold butte, cut into half-inch cubes
8 oz. Neufchatel cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. flour
3 Tbsp. lemon zest, divided (you should get enough juice and zest from 2 large lemons)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350ºF.

Line 8-inch square pan with foil. Put cookies in bowl of food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Process until you have fine crumbs. Add 1/2 cup flour and brown sugar. Pulse to combine. Add cold butter cubes and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; press onto bottom of prepared pan. (If you don't have a food processor, stir the crumbs, flour, and sugar together in a bowl, then cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or two knives.) Bake 15 minutes.

Beat Neufchatel cheese and granulated sugar with mixer until well blended. Add eggs and 2 Tbsp. flour; mix well. Blend in 1 Tbsp. zest, juice and baking powder; pour over crust.

Bake 25-28 min. or until center is set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining zest before serving.


We loved this refreshing dessert after a spicy Mexican dinner. I think next time I make it, I will try limes!


9 comments:

Joanne said...

Tangy lemon (or lime) cheesecake sounds ideal to me! I almost always used reduced fat cream cheese when baking and think it works wonders!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for not letting go off one of my favorite things to eat--lemony treats!! Will be trying this one, thanks!

Cristie said...

This sounds delicious! and the post just before was causing me to drool . . .

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures, lovely treat

Big Boys Oven said...

definitely a good cheesecake, tangy and refeshing, I love having the present of the lemon, just awesome

www.bigboysoven.com

Heather said...

mmmm I LOVED these.

Ali T said...

Why, why do you do this to me...another goodie I have to try making?! I'll have to think of someone to take 1/2 of the batch to before I make them so I don't snarff them all myself.

Cookie Sleuth said...

Looks as delicious as usual! The lime version would be great, too.

Katie said...

these look amazing.. i would love to try a lime version.