LEMON CREAM CHEESE BARS

PREP TIME : 15 mins

COOK TIME : 30 mins

TOTAL TIME : 45 mins

Serves: 24 small bars

INGREDIENTS :

·         2 large eggs

·         1 (18.25 ounce) package of yellow or lemon cake mix

·         4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

·         zest of ½ lemon

·         ⅓ cup vegetable oil

·         1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened at room temperature

·         ⅓ cup granulated sugar

INSTRUCTIONS :

1)    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Set aside a 9x13 baking dish.

2)    In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cake mix, 1 egg, and the vegetable oil with a plastic spatula. Reserve 1 and ¼ cups of mixture, set aside. Add the rest of the mixture into the 9x13 baking dish and pat down, making sure it's even all-the-way around. Bake for 15 minutes.

3)    While the crust is baking, beat together the cream cheese, 1 egg, and granulated sugar using a mixer with the paddle attachment. It should be whipped and creamy. With the mixer on medium-to-low speed mix in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.

4)    Pour the batter onto the baked crust. Crumble the reserved mixture you previously set aside on top of the cream cheese batter. Bake for 15 minutes.

5)    Remove from oven and allow the bars to completely cool before slicing.