Creamy Lemon Bars

The snow has FINALLY melted! This is definitely reason to celebrate!! So, in honor of Spring actually arriving in this part of Idaho, I'm posting a super yummy, spring-y treat.

This recipe comes from Our Best Bites food blog. And the way they describe these is right on the money. They're more like lemon cheesecake bars - not your average lemon bars. They are oh-so-good!!

Here's what you'll need:

20 Nilla Wafers, finely crushed OR 3/4 C. Nilla Wafer or graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold real butter
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. flour
3 Tbsp. grated lemon peel, divided
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. baking powder
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, with ends extending over sides of the pan. (I doubled this and made it in a 9x13-inch pan.) Spray with non-stick spray and set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the Nilla wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup flour and the brown sugar. Chop butter into small pieces and then cut into the crumb mixture with a pastry blender.

Press crumb mixture firmly onto the bottom of your prepared pan.

Bake 15 minutes. While the crust is baking, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, 2 Tablespoons flour, and baking powder; mix well. Blend in 1 Tablespoon lemon zest and lemon juice, then pour mixture over crust.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining 2 Tablespoons of grated lemon peel just before cutting and serving.

Store leftovers in the fridge.

A perfect way to welcome Spring!!