Limoncello Cheesecake Bars

Though lemons taste summery, they are in season during winter months. Add some bright happy flavors to your winter dessert menu with these cheesecake bars infused with lemon (and limoncello).

Limoncello Cheesecake Bars
Photo: Carson Downing
Hands On Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
24
Yield:
32 bars

Ingredients

  • 2 cup graham cracker crumbs

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • 2 teaspoon lemon zest

  • ½ cup butter, melted

  • 2 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened

  • cup sugar

  • 2 teaspoon vanilla

  • ½ cup limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur)

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 recipe Candied Lemon Slices

Candied Lemon Slices

  • 2 lemons

  • 3 tablespoon sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges. In a medium bowl stir together graham cracker crumbs, the 1/4 cup sugar, and the lemon zest. Add melted butter; stir until combined. Spread in prepared pan; press firmly. Bake 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack.

  2. For filling: In a large bowl beat cream cheese, the 2/3 cup sugar, and the vanilla with a mixer on medium until combined. Beat in limoncello until smooth. Beat in eggs just until combined. Pour filling over baked crust. Bake 20 minutes or until set. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour. Chill at least 2 hours.

  3. Using foil, lift out uncut bars. Cut into bars. Top with Candied Lemon Slices. If desired, dust with powdered sugar. Refrigerate up to 3 days. Makes 24 bars.

Candied Lemon Slices

  1. Cut lemons into 1/4-inch-thick slices; remove seeds. Roll slices in sugar to coat. Heat an extra-large skillet over medium-high. Add lemon slices in a single layer. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side or until glazed and starting to brown. Remove; cool on a piece of foil or parchment paper. Roll in additional sugar to coat. Cut each slice into quarters.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

201 Calories
12g Fat
20g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 201
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 45mg 15%
Sodium 147mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Total Sugars 15g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 5.4mg 27%
Calcium 28mg 2%
Iron 0.4mg 2%
Potassium 56mg 1%
Folate, total 2.9mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.1mcg
Vitamin B-6 0mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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