LEMON BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
• Press 1 can crescent roll dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, stretching to the edges.
• Mix the zest of 1 1/2 lemons and juice from 2 lemons together in a bowl. Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar into lemon zest mixture using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy; spread over crescent roll dough layer.
• Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and layer over cream cheese mixture, gently stretching dough to the edges. Brush melted butter over crescent roll dough layer. Mix remaining lemon zest and 3 tablespoons sugar together in a bowl; sprinkle over butter.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes. Lift dessert from baking dish using foil; transfer to a cutting board. Cut into squares, leaving on foil. Return dessert to the baking dish and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Let dough stand at room temperature 10 minutes to soften. Line large cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper.
• In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Add cream cheese, flour and 2 teaspoons of the lemon peel; stir with spoon or hands until well blended. (DO NOT EAT RAW COOKIE DOUGH AFTER COMBINING WITH FLOUR.) Shape dough into 36 (1-inch) balls. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
• Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Frost cookies; sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel. Store in airtight container.