Lemon Creme Brulee Bars

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

If you like creme brulee, you’ll love these Lemon Creme Brulee Bars! They are so easy to make- you will want to make them again and again!

Lemon Creme Brulee Bars | Pure Addiction

These lemon creme brulee bars are ridiculous. And so devilishly easy that you will be tempted to make these time and time again. I first came up with this recipe after having an awful dessert that was this exact concept but tasted so royally disgusting that I had a hard time shelling out the seven bucks it cost. That night I’d vow to make it better. So I did. I first tested them on a baby shower crowd and they went like hotcakes. Then I made them for my sister-in-law’s birthday because she’s as much of a lemon freak as I am. Of course, she liked them too. Then I ‘tested’ them again and ate half the pan. Then I swore the recipe off because I knew if I’d make them AGAIN, I’d eat the.entire.thing.

So, I did actually forgot about them until a few days ago when I had a few lemons loitering around my crisper drawers and found a package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese hiding behind ‘x’ pounds of butter. The perfect storm. So I made them again. This time with you all in mind! {You’re welcome.} Take a peek at the step-by-step photos and experience the beauty that is this dessert.

Main Ingredients Needed

Can you believe that these amazing Lemon Creme Brulee Bars only take 9 ingredients to make? Yeah that is downright sinful. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• Butter – this is used to hold the crust together. Be sure to plan ahead and use softened butter (not melted).
• Sugar – to sweeten the crust.
• Flour – to fill out the crust.
• Vanilla – to flavor.
• Cream Cheese – the main ingredient for the lemon cheesecake filling!
• Sweetened Condensed Milk – I used one whole can of this stuff. Not only does it sweeten but it also makes the filling a bit runnier.
• Egg – to add structure and richness.
• Lemon Juice + Zest – the juice helps the cheesecake set while also providing flavor along with the zest.
• Fine Granulated Sugar – this is used for brulee-ing these bars!

How to Make Lemon Creme Brulee Bars

For full details on how to make Lemon Creme Brulee Bars, see the recipe card down below 🙂

1. Preheat + Prep

Preheat oven. Line an 8×8 glass dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

2. Make the Crust

In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla until dough forms. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish. Set aside. (You’re basically making a quick shortbread).

3. Make Lemon Cheesecake Filling

In another bowl, whip cream cheese. Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Scrape sides and mix again. Pour in the egg, lemon zest, and juice. Mix until the mixture starts to thicken. Scrape sides and mix again briefly. Pour overtop cookie bottom and smooth the top.

4. Bake + Chill

Bake until cheesecake is set completely. Cool, then refrigerate. Cut into 16 squares and separate.

5. Sprinkle with Sugar + Torch

Sprinkle the tops of each square with 1 teaspoon of sugar and spread around with a finger to evenly distribute the sugar. Torch the tops until the sugar melts and turns an amber color. {If you don’t have a torch, place it under the broiler}. Return squares to fridge until ready to serve.

More Lemon Recipes to Try!

If you liked these lemon creme brulee bars, check out these related recipes 🙂

• Classic Lemon Bars
• Lemon Bar Ice Cream
• Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
• Lemon Cheesecake Tart
• Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake

Throw these Lemon Creme Brulee Bars onto a serving platter and voila! A perfect dessert everyone will love! Sweet and tart, similar to key lime pie, but a million times better!

Enjoy! 🙂

Print Pin It

5 from 17 votes

Lemon Creme Brulee Bars

If you like creme brulee, you'll love these Lemon Creme Brulee Bars! They are so easy to make- you will want to make them again and again!

servings 16 squares

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Ingredients

• ▢ 1/2 cup butter softened
• ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 cup all purpose flour
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 8 oz cream cheese softened
• ▢ 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 1 can
• ▢ 1 egg
• ▢ 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• ▢ 6 tablespoons lemon juice
• ▢ 5 tablespoons fine granulated sugar for brulee-ing, approximately

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 glass dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• In large bowl, combine butter, sugar, flour and vanilla until dough forms. Press evenly into the bottom of prepared dish. Set aside.
  
• In another bowl, whip cream cheese. Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Scrape sides and mix again. Pour in egg, lemon zest and juice. Mix until mixture starts to thicken, 20-30 seconds. Scrape sides and mix again briefly. Pour overtop cookie bottom and smooth the top.
  
• Bake 20-25 minutes or until cheesecake is set completely. Cool, then refrigerate. Cut into 16 squares and separate.
  
• Sprinkle the tops of each square with 1 teaspoon of sugar and spread around with finger to evenly distribute sugar.
  
• Torch the tops until the sugar melts and turns an amber color. {If you don't have a torch, place under the broiler}. Return squares to fridge until ready to serve.
  

Nutrition

Calories: 252kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 449IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Lemon Creme Brulee Bars