Classic Lemon Cookie Bars topped with lemon buttercream frosting is a delicious and simple lemon dessert that is easy to make!
These lemon citrus bars get topped with a velvety buttercream frosting that takes them to the next level of goodness!
Make These Easy Dessert Lemon Cookie Bars
If you enjoy lemon desserts or are looking for a flavorful summer dessert to make, these lemon bars are the perfect choice. Minimal ingredients required for a simple spring flavored cookie bar.
Why You Will Love These Classic Lemon Bars
- Simple ingredients
- 3o minute cook time
- The citrus flavor in every bite
- Great for parties, potluck, or even weeknight dessert
- Fresh lemon
- Homemade lemon buttercream frosting
Ingredients
1 ½ cups flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
¾ cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Sprinkles, optional
Frosting Ingredients
½ cup butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon extract
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Yellow food coloring (optional)
How To Make Recipe
Start by whisking your flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Preheat the oven and grease an 8x8 pan, and set aside.
In another bowl cream your butter, cream cheese, and sugar and mix until well combined.
Add in the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and extract and mix until thoroughly combined.
Slowly stir in the flour mixture, and once mixed, pour into the pan and bake as directed. When your lemon cookie bars are done, place them on a cooling rack.
When the cookie bars have cooled, you will make the lemon buttercream frosting. Mix the ingredients and then carefully spread over the cookie bars in an even layer.
How To Make Lemon Buttercream Frosting
To make the frosting, beat together the butter, milk, lemon juice, lemon extract and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Optional: add food coloring to tint icing.
How To Store Cookie Bars
Because of the buttercream frosting, you will find these lemon cookie bars are best when stored in the fridge. Place them in an airtight container and store for up to 5 days.
If you don't plan to eat the cookie lemon bars right away, simply freeze the leftovers by placing the bars in a freezer-friendly container. Then freeze for 2-3 months.
Thaw in the fridge the night before you plan to eat. Or sit on the counter for 30 minutes to do a quick thaw of the lemon buttercream bars.
Save Time And Skip Homemade Frosting
If you do not want to make homemade frosting, you are welcome to reach for a vanilla canned frosting. If you want to give it a lemon flavor stir in some fresh lemon juice and lemon zest if you would like. This will give it a lemon flavor but you won't have to make homemade frosting.
Can I Double The Recipe?
If you want to double this dessert bar recipe, you can use a 9x13 pan instead of an 8x8 pan. Feel free to whip up a double batch and place it in and bake as directed.
You want to make sure the lemon dessert bars are fully cooked. Then lay them out on a cooling rack to cool down before you frost.
As you can see these bars are so simple to make. A great potluck dessert, Easter dessert, after-dinner treat, and more. This cookie bar recipe is the perfect dessert for any occasion!
If you are looking for more delicious lemon desserts, we love these Lemon Pound Cake Cookies which are bursting with lemon flavor and taste like a lemon pound cake. The ultimate lemon cookie recipe.
And another favorite is this Blueberry Lemon Cake. This recipe is a fully loaded blueberry and lemon cake that is bursting with sweetness. Pair with a cup of coffee and dive in.
Lemon Cookie Bars With Lemon Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp lemon extract
- sprinkles, (optional)
Frosting Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- Yellow food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 8x8 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until creamy and well blended.
- Add in the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract. Beat until combined.
- Add in the flour mixture and beat until smooth.
- Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cookie bars to cool completely, then spread the frosting over the top of the cookie bars. Cut into 9 equal pieces before serving.
- To make the frosting, beat together the butter, milk, lemon juice, lemon extract and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Optional: add food coloring to tint icing.
