Gifts from the Kitchen, Lemon Cheesecake Squares

Are you a chocolate person.  Most of the time dessert ain’t dessert unless there is chocolate involved.  Blueberry pie? That’s breakfast food, right?

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But Springtime makes me crave lemon

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I saw a recipe on Pinterest for Lemon Oreo Cheesecake Bars from Six Sisters Stuff  and I was off to the pantry to see what I needed

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Their recipe called for Lemon Oreos which I couldn’t find so I bought Archway Frosted Lemon Cookies, thinking they would provide a similar texture.

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The base of the squares is made from a boxed cake mix, eggs, butter. a little oil and water and white chocolate chips. Chocolate!   There is Chocolate after all!

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The dough is thick so use your fingers to pat and push it into an even layer in the bottom of your baking dish

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Make the cheesecake layer and add in the crumbled cookies

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Spread it on top of the cake mix layer.

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Bake at 350 for 30 minutes

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When it’s done it will look set,  and it will be just starting to brown around the edges.  Set pan on a wire rack to cool completely.

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Make a lemon glaze by beating cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar, lemon juice and yellow food coloring

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Spread glaze all over cooled cake.  Place in refrigerator to completely set up before cutting.

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Add a little sparkling sugar if you want to get fancy

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See the white chocolate chips?  You will be so happy they are in there!

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Watch out for curious bunnies!

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Wait….I think he snagged one!!

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I better give him his own plate full~

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and save some for us!

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Here’s the recipe:

LEMON CHEESECAKE BARS

Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • First Layer:
  • 1 box Lemon cake mix
  • 1 stick butter softened
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 3/4 T vegetable oil
  • 1 T water
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • Second Layer:
  • 16 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 T lemon juice
  • 10 large lemon cookies [I used Archway]
  • Glaze:
  • 1 T butter. melted
  • 3 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 T lemon juice
  • yellow food coloring [optional]

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9 x 13 inch glass baking dish with cooking oil spray. Break 1 egg into a large mixing bowl and beat lightly. Add the dry cake mix, butter, oil, and water and mix with a fork. Batter will be dense and on the dry side. Stir in white chocolate chips. Put batter into baking dish and pat out into an even layer using your fingers.
  • Make the second layer by beating the cream cheese with the sugar in a medium bowl. Add vanilla, eggs, and lemon juice. Add cookies and stir with a spoon. Spread the cream cheese mixture over top of first layer. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until it looks set and just starting to brown around the edges. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Make glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and butter. Add enough lemon juice to form the consistency of thick frosting. Mix in yellow food coloring and cream cheese, stir until smooth and incorporated. Cover cooled cake with glaze and place pan in refrigerator to set before cutting. Cut into bite size squares for serving. Makes about 36 bite size squares.
Keyword lemon cheesecake, lemon cheesecake bars, lemon cookies

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Thanks so much for visiting!  Come back soon to see the Lemon Square inspired tablescape with the Curious Bunny~

For the how to on the French Pastry Box click here

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I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:

Work it Wednesday

Four Seasons Blog Hop

Full Plate Thursday

Freedom Fridays

Foodie Friday

Show Stopper Saturday

Monday Funday

Metamorphosis Monday

A Stroll Thru Life

Comments
16 Responses to “Gifts from the Kitchen, Lemon Cheesecake Squares”
  1. Happier Than A Pig In Mud says:

    Sounds like a tasty treat! I never doubt a bunny:@)

  2. Liz Mackie says:

    Thank you

    From: the Painted Apron >To: lizzm@att.net >Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 3:00 AM >Subject: [New post] Gifts from the Kitchen, Lemon Cheesecake Squares > >the Painted Apron posted: “Are you a chocolate person.  Most of the time dessert ain’t dessert unless there is chocolate involved.  Blueberry pie? That’s breakfast food, right? But Springtime makes me crave lemon I saw a recipe on Pinterest for Lemon Oreo Cheesecake B” >

  3. Jane says:

    Oh my gosh! This recipe looks fabulous! I love anything with lemon so I’m pinning this so I can make it later! 🙂

  4. oh my goodness you had me at lemon! xo P.S. I hope you will share this at the hop

  5. Jacqueline says:

    Lemon is right after chocolate for me and these look like they are just stufffed with wonderful goodies. I love that bunny is ready to dive in because I am too!

  6. Yummy, I am gaining weight just viewing these amazing lemon bars.

    Your styling is awesome. Cute compote with carrots and moss balls!

  7. Betty Taylor says:

    Wow! Those look heavenly! Stopping by from the Four Seasons Blog Hop. I am pinning these for a special treat someday!

  8. Mary says:

    Your lemon bars are calling my name Jenna, especially with your sugared lemon glaze! Everybunny needs their own plate 🙂

  9. Kitty says:

    Ooh Jenna, these bars look and sound so good! I’m craving some lemony goodness right now and these would sure satisfy my sweet tooth. I’ve never heard of Oreo lemon cookies and I’m happy that the Archway cookies were a good match.

  10. Miz Helen says:

    Hi Jenna,
    What a great dessert, we just love lemon. Your Lemon Cheesecake Squares are just perfect for a spring welcome. Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

  11. This look delicious!!! The first layer alone probably tastes amazing. 🙂 I also love those lemon Archway cookies. Thanks for sharing…it’s the perfect spring recipe! Pinned!

  12. Oh my word. Perfect tea party fare. Thank you – I think I like your version well and can’t wait to make them…and they look so pretty, too!

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