These gooey Lemon Raspberry Cream Cheese Bars are the perfect mix between creamy cheesecake and bright lemon bars, all layered inside buttery flaky crescent roll dough. Sweet cream cheese filling, fresh raspberries, and refreshing lemon flavor come together in every rich, tangy bite. They’re incredibly easy to make and perfect for spring desserts, summer parties, holidays, brunches, or anytime you want a bakery-style treat with minimal effort.
Ingredients For the Bars
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
For the Topping
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Optional:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- White chocolate drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Unroll one can of crescent dough and press it into the bottom of the baking dish, pinching seams together.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until creamy.
- Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough layer.
- Scatter raspberries gently over the filling.
- Unroll the second crescent dough sheet and carefully place it on top.
- Brush melted butter over the top layer.
- Sprinkle with sugar and lemon zest.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool completely, then chill for at least 1 hour before slicing.
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve chilled or slightly cool.
Servings
Makes 12 bars
Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 35 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: About 1 hour 50 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Bar Approx.)
- Calories: 290
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 20g
- Sugar: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
Benefits
- Easy semi-homemade dessert
- Sweet, tangy, and creamy flavor combination
- Perfect for parties and holidays
- Fresh raspberries add antioxidants and color
- Crescent dough creates a flaky buttery crust
Tips
- Chill before slicing for cleaner bars.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- Don’t overbake—the center should stay slightly soft.
- Frozen raspberries can be used, but thaw and drain first.
Variations
- Swap raspberries for blueberries or strawberries
- Add white chocolate chips to the filling
- Use orange zest instead of lemon for a citrus twist
- Drizzle with lemon glaze for extra sweetness