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Elegant Lemon Marbled Cheesecake Bars

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  • Author: Clara
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Chill Time: 2–3 hours
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
  • Yield: 1216 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Elegant Lemon Marbled Cheesecake Bars are the perfect blend of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors. The velvety cheesecake layer swirled with vibrant lemon curd creates a gorgeous marbled effect, making this dessert as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for holidays, brunch, or an elegant tea-time treat.


Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:

  • 1 1/2 cups (180 g) graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted

For the cheesecake filling:

  • 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream

For the lemon curd swirl:

  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) lemon curd (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for extra zing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven:

    • Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
    • Line a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. Prepare the crust:

    • In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated.
    • Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even crust. Use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to help.
    • Bake for 8–10 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
  3. Make the cheesecake filling:

    • In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
    • Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream until fully incorporated. Avoid overmixing.
  4. Assemble the cheesecake bars:

    • Pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the cooled crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
    • Spoon small dollops of the lemon curd on top of the cheesecake layer, spacing them out evenly.
    • Use a toothpick or a skewer to gently swirl the lemon curd into the cheesecake batter, creating a marbled effect. Be careful not to over-swirl.
  5. Bake:

    • Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
    • Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature in the pan.
  6. Chill:

    • Once cooled, refrigerate the cheesecake bars for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to set completely.
  7. Slice and serve:

    • Lift the cheesecake bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang.
    • Slice into squares or rectangles and garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar, lemon zest, or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

  • Homemade lemon curd: If you want to make your own lemon curd, whisk together 1/2 cup lemon juice, 2 large egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons butter over low heat until thickened.
  • Storage: Store the cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
  • Swirling tips: Use a light hand when swirling the lemon curd to create elegant, defined swirls without blending too much into the cheesecake.