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Lemon Cheesecake Bites

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Lemon Cheesecake Bites are a lemon-y dream! They’re the combination of two incredible desserts: tangy lemon cheesecake and classic lemon curd. This cheesecake bites recipe results in a light and creamy dessert topped with tart lemon curd, while the base is a simple and sweet crust made with crushed lemon Oreo cookies.

These lemon cheesecake bites make the perfect after-dinner treat or even mid-day snack served with a cup of coffee. We’re adding this to our long list of heavenly lemon dessert recipes because you can never have too many.

serving of cake on a plate with a fork, coffee, napkin and flowers in background

All the Details:

I don’t know about you, but lemon desserts make me happy. They’re bright, sunny, and that tangy lemon flavor pairs well with so many things (like this lemon lavender cake and our lemon Bundt cake!). We love to top cakes and other treats with creamy lemon curd or our lemon dessert sauce, and this recipe combines that with another one of our favorites: rich and velvety cheesecake. But you can serve these lemony cheesecake bites as the perfect dessert appetizer.

These Cheesecake Bites Are:

  • Simple to make
  • Creamy, lemony, and delicious
  • A wonderful way to use lemon curd
  • Perfect for entertaining
lemon cheesecake cut into serving sizes

The Ingredients in this Cheesecake Bites Recipe:

Simple ingredients come together to make these amazing cheesecake bites, from the cream cheese filling to the lemon-y crust.

This cheesecake bites recipe requires two steps: making the lemon cheesecake and making the yummy lemon curd topping. The ingredient list includes everything you will need for both those steps (see the full amount and all the details in the recipe at the bottom of the page).

You will need:

  • Lemon Cream Oreo Sandwich Cookies
  • Butter
  • Cream cheese (at room temperature)
  • Granulated sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Lemon zest
  • Freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • Vanilla extract
  • Eggs, at room temperature
  • Egg yolks (for the lemon curd)
  • Salt

If you have extra lemons, save them for our blackberry lemon bread, the lemon zest compliments the blackberries perfectly.

How to Make Lemon Cheesecake Bites:

While there are two main steps to this recipe, if you already have lemon curd on hand, it becomes even easier! We’ve also simplified the crust process by using store-bought lemon cream Oreo cookies. They’re perfect for this recipe as they add a deliciously light lemon flavor to the sweet cookie base.

If you want to make your own cookies instead, you can make our triple lemon cookies. Here is a quick overview of the recipe for lemon cheesecake. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.

  1. Make the lemon crust.
  2. Make the lemon cheesecake filling: After you bake the filling, let it cool for 4 hours or overnight.
  3. Prepare the lemon curd topping: Once the lemon curd is cool, spread it over the top of the cheesecake bars.
Processing photos for lemon cheesecake bars

Tips for success:

  • When making the lemon curd, try not to let the mixture come to a boil. If it begins to boil, remove it from the heat and return it to a lower heat. You’ll know it’s done when the curd is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and you can run your finger through it and it holds a trail.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for the lemon cheesecake! Cream cheese and eggs at room temperature will combine smoothly and you won’t get lumps in your batter.
two servings of lemon cheesecake bars on plates with forks

These cheesecake bites are dainty little lemon squares you can enjoy year-round! We know we certainly will. 😉

More Chilled or Frozen Desserts

Some Other Recipes You Will Love:

Triple Chocolate Brownies: We all love brownies and these fudgy brownies are over-the-top delicious! Made with three different types of chocolate: Unsweetened chocolate bars, semi-sweet chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder. These brownies have your name on them!

Fresh Raspberry Bars: This easy recipe features fresh sweet raspberries with a jammy texture, cut into thick slices and crunchy crusts. Think…raspberry pie ❤️

Blondie Brownie: The fudgy taste and texture of these blonde brownies will tickle your tastebuds. They are chewy and loaded with chocolate chips, coconut, butterscotch chip with the option for your choice of add-ins.

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Lemon Cheesecake Bites on a plate with a fork.

Lemon Cheesecake Bites

Lemon Cheesecake Bites are a lemon-y dream! They're the combination of two incredible desserts: tangy lemon cheesecake and classic lemon curd. This recipe for cheesecake bites results in a light and creamy dessert topped with tart lemon curd, while the base is a simple and sweet crust made with crushed lemon Oreo cookies.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Save
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 274kcal
Author: Pat Nyswonger

Ingredients

For the Lemon Crust:

  • 1 package (20 oz.) Lemon Cream Oreo sandwich cookies, about 2 cups
  • 4 tablespoons butter melted

For the Lemon Cheesecake:

  • 4 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 eggs room temperature

Lemon curd: makes 1-1/2 cups

  • 7 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 6 tablespoons butter softened
  • cup lemon juice
  • zest from 2 lemons
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

For the Lemon Crust:

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper having the ends extend over sides.
  • Place the cookies in a food processor or blender and pulse until they are fine crumbs.  Add the melted butter and pulse to combine.
  • Tip the mixture into the prepared pan and press evenly onto the bottom.  
  • Transfer to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool on a wire cooling rack.

For the Lemon Cheesecake:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy, about 2 minutes. 
    Add the flour, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla and beat for 1 minute.  Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat another 30 seconds to blend any scraped bits.  
  • With the mixer on medium-low, add the eggs one at a time and beating about 30 seconds to combine before adding the next egg.  When all the eggs have been added, scrape the bowl down again and beat a final 30 seconds to blend.  
  • Pour the mixture over the crust and spread evenly.  Transfer to the oven and bake for 38-40 minutes until the center is almost set.  It will continue to cook while cooling from the residual heat.  
  • Remove the pan from the oven and cool for 1 hour on the wire cooling rack; then transfer to the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.

For the Lemon Curd Topping:

  • Set a strainer over a bowl and keep it readily available near the stove.
  • In a heavy non-reactive saucepan, beat the egg yolks, sugar and butter until well blended. Stir in the lemon juice, zest and salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for about 10 to 15 minutes until thickened and has a glossy appearance.
    Try not to let the mixture come to a boil, if it begins to boil remove it from the heat for a bit then return it to a lower heat. You can tell if the lemon curd is thick enough if it coats the back of a spoon and you can run your finger through it and it holds a trail. 
  • When the curd has thickened, pour it into the strainer and press it with the back of a spoon. Discard the lemon zest and any lumps that are left behind in the strainer.
  • Place in the refrigerator to chill. The lemon curd will thicken more once it has chilled completely
  • When the lemon curd cools a bit, spread it on top of the lemon cheesecake and transfer and refrigerate until firm.
  • Remove from the refrigerator when firm and lift from the pan with the parchment paper overhang onto a cutting board. With a thin knife dipped in hot water, slice the lemon cheesecake into 24 cheesecake bites.

Notes

  • A firm lemon will release more juice if microwave for 20 seconds before juicing.
  • A zester will make a beautiful garnish on each serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 259mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g

Pat Nyswonger

Pat is a wife, mom of four adult children, and grandmother to seventeen beautiful children. She is a self-taught home cook and loves creating delicious meals for her family and friends. Her kitchen is the hub of activity in her home, and she loves to entertain.

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Recipe Rating




angiesrecipes

Friday 13th of August 2021

I always love sweet tangy lemon desserts. These cheesecake bars look excellent with the extra lemon curd topping.

Dahn Boquist

Friday 13th of August 2021

Thanks Angie, it's a great way to feed dessert to a crowd too ;)

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