Easy Lemon Cookie Bars

Easy Lemon Cookie Bars! Homemade Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese and Lemon Glaze are the perfect Lemon Dessert Recipe!

stack of three easy lemon cookie bars

I can’t get over these Easy Lemon Cookie Bars!!!

Bursting with lemon flavor, these are defiantly one of my summertime favorites! Whip these up for your next barbeque or pool party! 

Above view of several Lemon Cookie Bars on a plate

Here are even more Amazing Lemon Recipes!

Someone holding a Lemon Sugar Cookie Bar with a bite taken out of it

Reasons to love these Easy Lemon Cookie Bars!

  • These cookie bars just shout SUMMER!!! Perfect for any occasion!
  • Quick and easy recipe with everyday pantry ingredients!
  • AMAZING homemade lemon glaze! Perfect finishing touch!

Stack of Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars with a bite taken out of the top one

Here’s What you will need for this Easy Lemon Cookie Bars recipe!

  • Lemons and cream cheese!!! YUM!
  • Basic pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, and baking soda!
  • A 9×13 baking dish

Wide view of 3 Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars stacked

How to make Easy Lemon Cookie Bars!

Get ready to make these thick and chewy Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars! Super simple to make and DELICIOUS!!!

Soften butter being added to bowl

First, mix together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a bowl. 

Lemon juice being added to batter

Next, add to the bowl the eggs and egg white, vanilla, and lemon juice. Mix everything together until combined.

Lemon zest being added to batter

Now add the dry ingredients. Mix in the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Then carefully stir in the lemon zest.

Lemon sugar cookie bars batter in pan

Next pour the batter into a 9×13 prepared baking dish. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a tooth pick comes out clean from the center of the cookie bar.

Lemon sugar cookie bars cut into squares

Let the cookie bar cool for at least 30 minutes. Once the cookie bar has partly cooled, remove the parchment paper and place on a smooth surface. Slice the cookie bar into 15 pieces. I like to slice the edges off as well to make my cookie bars even. 🙂

Lemon glaze mixed up

While the cookie bars are cooling, prep the lemon glaze by combining the lemon juice and powdered sugar and mix until smooth. 

Cut Lemon sugar cookie bars with lemon glaze

Finally, drizzle the lemon glaze over the bars. Sprinkle the lemon zest over the top for the finishing touch! Serve and enjoy!

Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars Ingredients

Easy Lemon Cookie Bars Recipe

Yields: 15 bars
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 22-25 minutes
Additional time: 1 Hour

Lemon Sugar Cookie Ingredients:
1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs + 1 egg white
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons lemon zest

Lemon Glaze Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoon lemon juice
Garnish with extra lemon zest (optional)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a 9×13” pan with parchment paper.
Cream together butter, cream cheese, and sugar.
Mix in eggs and egg white, vanilla, and lemon juice.
Slowly stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Fold in lemon zest.
Pour batter into the prepared pan, spread evenly, and bake for 22-25 minutes – if needed add an additional two minutes until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
Let cool for 30 minutes and then remove the cookie bar using the parchment paper and let cool completely (30 minutes to 1 hour).
Make the glaze and cut the cookie bars before drizzling the glaze over the bars. Let cool and dust with powdered sugar.

stack of three easy lemon cookie bars

Easy Lemon Cookie Bars

Yield: 15 Bars
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Easy Lemon Cookie Bars! These Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars are SO easy to make and one of our favorite Summer Dessert Recipes! Made from scratch with a simple lemon glaze!

Ingredients

  • Lemon Sugar Cookie Ingredients:
  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs + 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups unbleached flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • Lemon Glaze Ingredients:
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Garnish with extra lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x13” pan with parchment paper. 
  2. Cream together butter, cream cheese, and sugar. 
  3. Mix in eggs and egg white, vanilla, and lemon juice. 
  4. Slowly stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 
  5. Fold in lemon zest. 
  6. Pour batter into the prepared pan, spread evenly, and bake for 22-25 minutes - if needed add an additional two minutes until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. 
  7. Let cool for 30 minutes and then remove the cookie bar using the parchment paper and let cool completely (30 minutes to 1 hour).
  8. Make the glaze and cut the cookie bars before drizzling the glaze over the bars.

Did you make this recipe?

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Stack of 3 Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars

What is a cookie bar?

A cookie is bar is thick, stiff batter that is pressed into a baking dish. Once it is baked and has cooled, it is usually cut into squares or “bars”. That’s why it’s called a “cookie bar”!

Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars with a bite taken out of it

Why are my cookie bars dry?

If you’re cookie bar is too dry, you may need to add more butter. Butter adds moisture to the cookie bars so make sure to measure out the butter correctly!

Wide view of 2 Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars stacked on each other

Another reason  your cookie bars could be dry is they are overcooked. You will need to undercook the cookie bars just a little (do not let the top turn brown). Let the brownies cool in the pan for 30 minutes – 1 hour to set completely and finish baking in the pan. 

Close up view of Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars on a plate

How do you store cookie bars?

Cookie bars can be stored in the pantry for a couple of days. You can also keep them in the refrigerator to help them stay fresh longer. You can even freeze them for later if needed! Just allow it to thaw completely before cutting and serving.

Finally, if you are needing a patriotic dessert option this summer, try these Homemade Sugar Cookie Bars for the 4th of July! Super festive and fun!!!

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