Go Back
+ servings
Print
The Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars topped with lemon sugar glaze in a stack on a white plate.

Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars

These delicious Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars are bursting with lemon flavor and topped with a sweet with just a touch of citrus glaze.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Homemade Desserts, Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars, Magic Cookie Bars
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling 1 hour
Servings 15 Bars
Calories 355 kcal

Ingredients

For the Bars

  • 1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)
  • 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

For the Glaze

  • 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest optional

Instructions

For the Bars:

  1. Begin by preheating oven to 350°F then line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. With an electric mixer or sand mixer on medium cream together butter cream cheese and sugar.
  3. Mix in the eggs and egg white, lemon juice and vanilla into the creamed butter and sugar mixture.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to mixture and slowly stir them in with a spoon or silicone spatula.
  5. Fold the lemon zest into batter.
  6. Transfer the batter to the parchment line baking pan and spread evenly into the pan. Please note this batter will be very thick.
  7. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a inserted in the center of the bars comes out clean.
  8. Transfer pan onto a cooling rack and cool pan for 30 minutes. Then using the parchment paper remove the bars from the pan onto the cooling rack and cool completely. Recommended time for cooling outside the pan is 30-50 minutes.
  9. Note: Bake until center is set, but do not over bake. Cookie bars will continue to bake in the pan while it is cooling.

For the Glaze:

  1. In a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar and lemon juice desired consistency. If desired, stir in zest.
  2. Drizzle glaze over the top and allow glaze to cool completely before slicing the bars.

Recipe Notes

  1. The batter for these cookie bars will be very thick. For the best results, spread batter evenly in the pan before baking. Cook until center is set, but do not over cook. Cookie bars will continue to bake in the pan while it cools. 
  2. For completely even edges on these cookie bars you may have to trip the edges off before slicing into squares.
  3. Nutritional information is estimated. Amounts will vary based on ingredient choices and serving sizes.
Nutrition Facts
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
Amount Per Serving (1 Bar)
Calories 355 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Trans Fat 0.5g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 62mg21%
Sodium 248mg11%
Potassium 81mg2%
Carbohydrates 50g17%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 31g34%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 512IU10%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 31mg3%
Iron 0.4mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.