Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars: The Easiest Zesty Dessert You’ll Ever Make

If you’re craving a sweet and tangy treat but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, these lazy day lemon cream pie bars are your new best friend. Whether it’s a sunny summer day or a lazy weekend afternoon, these bars come together quickly with just a few pantry staples and minimal effort.

With their zesty lemon kick, rich, creamy filling, and buttery base, these bars are hard to resist. You can whip them up quickly and even switch up the crust or toppings depending on what you have on hand. Perfect for those spur-of-the-moment dessert needs, whether it’s prepping for a potluck, treating your family, or simply satisfying a citrus craving.

Looking for inspiration? Try these other fast and foolproof dessert ideas.

Why Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars Are the Ultimate No-Fuss Dessert

What Are Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars?

Lazy day lemon cream pie bars are the dream dessert for anyone who loves bold lemon flavor without the complicated prep work. Think of them as the delicious middle ground between a lemon bar and a lemon pie—creamy, tart, sweet, and nestled on a buttery crust.

Unlike traditional lemon pies that require complex steps, this recipe skips the fussy meringue and blind baking. Instead, you get a rich lemon cream layer made from condensed milk, lemon juice, and cream cheese—all baked onto a buttery crust and chilled to perfection.

Why These Bars Are Perfect for Busy Days

Sometimes, baking feels like a chore. That’s where these bars shine. They come together in under 15 minutes of active prep and don’t require fancy tools or long rest times. They’re a favorite for:

• Weeknight desserts
• Potluck or picnic dishes
• Make-ahead treats
• No-fail baking for beginners

The ingredients are usually already in your pantry. You don’t need a food processor or mixer—just a bowl, a whisk, and a baking pan. And cleanup? A breeze.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars

The Best Base Ingredients for a Buttery Crust

The foundation of any good lemon cream pie bar is its crust. For these lazy day lemon cream pie bars, we keep it simple—but absolutely delicious. A classic buttery crust provides the ideal contrast to the creamy, zesty filling.

Here’s what you’ll typically need:

Some bakers also swap in graham cracker crumbs or crushed shortbread cookies for a slightly sweeter or crunchier base.

Choosing Between Fresh or Bottled Lemon Juice

Lemon is the star of the show here, so let’s talk juice. While bottled lemon juice might seem convenient, using freshly squeezed lemons truly elevates the flavor of your lemon cream pie bars. Fresh juice offers:

• Brighter, more natural citrus flavor
• No preservatives or additives
• Higher acidity, which sets the cream filling better

That said, if you’re pressed for time, bottled lemon juice can still get the job done. Just be sure to choose 100% pure lemon juice without added sugar or artificial flavors.

And don’t forget the zest! Lemon zest adds an extra punch of citrus and depth to the bars—don’t skip it.

Instructions for Making lazy day lemon cream pie bars

Preparing the Crust

The crust is the base that holds everything together, and luckily, it’s as simple as it gets. For lazy day lemon cream pie bars, we want something sturdy but soft enough to bite through easily.

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a medium bowl, melt the butter (if it’s not already softened).
3. Mix in the flour, sugar, and salt until it forms a soft, crumbly dough.
4. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of a lined 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
6. Let it cool slightly before pouring the filling over it.

This pre-baking step keeps the crust crisp, so it doesn’t get soggy when you add the filling.

Mixing the Lemon Cream Filling

The creamy lemon filling is where these bars really shine. It’s tangy, smooth, and incredibly easy to make.

You’ll Need:

• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 2 large egg yolks

Instructions:

1. In a clean bowl, whisk the egg yolks and cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add the lemon juice, zest, and sweetened condensed milk.
3. Mix until everything is fully combined and silky.

The mixture should be thick but pourable. Pour it over the slightly cooled crust and smooth out the top.

Bake again at 350°F for about 15–20 minutes, or until the center is just set but still slightly jiggly.

Baking and Chilling for the Perfect Texture

Once baked, the key to that silky texture is patience.

• Cool the bars to room temperature first.
• Then, chill them in the fridge for at least 3 hours, or overnight for best results.
• Once set, cut into squares and wipe your knife clean between cuts for neat edges.

Garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar or thin lemon slices if desired.

After just one bite of these lazy day lemon cream pie bars, you’ll understand why they’re a favorite across generations.

Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars: The Easiest Zesty Dessert You’ll Ever Make

---

• Author: Laura Mitchell
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x

Print Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

A no-fuss, citrus-packed dessert that’s creamy, refreshing, and ridiculously easy to make. These lazy day lemon cream pie bars feature a buttery crust and tangy lemon filling that comes together in just minutes—perfect for make-ahead treats, summer picnics, or any time you need a quick and crowd-pleasing dessert.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Crust:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Pinch of salt

For the Lemon Cream Filling:

• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 large egg yolks

---

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, combine butter, flour, sugar, and salt to form a crumbly dough.
• Press the dough evenly into the baking dish and bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden.
• While crust cools slightly, whisk together egg yolks, cream cheese, lemon juice, zest, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
• Pour the lemon filling over the baked crust and spread evenly.
• Return to oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the center is just set.
• Let cool to room temperature, then chill for at least 3 hours.
• Slice into bars, serve cold, and enjoy!

Notes

• For extra zing, add more lemon zest or swap in Meyer lemons.
• Bars can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored chilled.
• For a crunchier base, try a graham cracker or shortbread crust.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: ~210
• Sugar: ~18g
• Sodium: ~90mg
• Fat: ~11g
• Saturated Fat: ~7g
• Unsaturated Fat: ~3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: ~26g
• Fiber: ~0.5g
• Protein: ~3g
• Cholesterol: ~40mg

Keywords: lazy day lemon cream pie bars, easy lemon dessert, lemon bar recipe, summer dessert

Pro Tips for Making the Perfect Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars Every Time

Preventing a Soggy Crust in Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars

One of the most common mistakes when making lazy day lemon cream pie bars is ending up with a soft or soggy base. But don’t worry—it’s easy to avoid with just a few smart baking habits:

• Pre-bake your crust: This step is crucial. Bake it for 12–15 minutes before adding the filling to give your bars a firm foundation.
• Cool before filling: Let the crust cool for a few minutes so the warm filling doesn’t soak in and ruin the texture.
• Line with parchment: It helps keep excess moisture away and makes the bars easier to lift out cleanly.

If you love a slightly crisp finish, brush the crust with a thin layer of beaten egg white after baking—it creates a moisture barrier before adding the lemon cream.

Nailing the Lemon-to-Cream Ratio in Your Bars

Getting the filling to strike that sweet spot between creamy and tangy is what makes these lazy day lemon cream pie bars so satisfying. The goal is to let the lemon flavor shine without overwhelming the smooth texture.

• Keep the cream cheese in check – You want it to create a rich, velvety texture that supports—not hides—the bold lemony notes.
• Want more citrus kick? Try reducing the amount of sweetened condensed milk slightly, or mix in a splash of extra fresh lemon juice. These small tweaks help intensify the tartness without altering the structure of the bars.

Fine-tuning your filling like this can make a big difference, especially if you love a brighter flavor in your desserts.

Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bar Variations to Try

Adding Fresh Berries or Coconut for a Twist

While the classic version of lazy day lemon cream pie bars is a fan favorite, you can easily upgrade them with a few mix-ins or toppings to suit the season or occasion.

Here are some creative twists:

These additions not only enhance flavor but also give your lemon bars a fresh, colorful presentation.

Trying Graham Cracker or Shortbread Crust Alternatives

The standard buttery flour crust works great, but if you want to change up the texture or flavor profile, try a different base:

• Graham cracker crust: Offers a subtle sweetness and crumbly texture that pairs beautifully with the tangy lemon cream. Use crushed graham crackers, butter, and sugar for the perfect balance.
• Shortbread cookie crust: Denser and richer than graham, this base brings buttery goodness and a melt-in-your-mouth finish.

Both options bake up quickly and give your lazy day lemon cream pie bars a whole new vibe without adding prep time.

Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead Tips

How to Store Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars Properly

Once your lazy day lemon cream pie bars are baked and chilled, proper storage is key to keeping their creamy texture and fresh flavor intact. Here’s how to store them like a pro:

• Refrigerator: Keep the bars in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers if stacking to prevent sticking.
• Covered Tray: If serving within a day, you can simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap.

Avoid storing them at room temperature for extended periods, as the cream filling can spoil quickly, especially in warmer environments.

Freezing Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars for Later

Yes, you can freeze these bars—making them a great make-ahead option for parties, meal prep, or unexpected guests.

Here’s how to freeze them without ruining the texture:

1. Let the bars chill fully in the fridge before freezing.
2. Cut them into squares and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap.
3. Place wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container.
4. Freeze for up to 2 months.

To enjoy, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid microwaving, as it may separate the filling from the crust.

Tips for Making Lemon Bars in Advance

Planning ahead? These lazy day lemon cream pie bars are ideal for prepping a day or two before you need them.

• Make the bars a day ahead and chill overnight for the best consistency.
• If preparing for an event, don’t cut them until just before serving to keep edges clean and fresh.
• You can also prepare the crust and filling separately and store them in the fridge, then assemble and bake when you’re ready.

This make-ahead flexibility makes them a true time-saver without compromising on taste or texture.

FAQs About Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars

If you’re looking for a dessert that checks all the boxes—quick, flavorful, creamy, and crowd-pleasing—lazy day lemon cream pie bars are your go-to solution. With their bright citrus filling, buttery crust, and minimal prep time, they’re a perfect match for busy days or last-minute guests.

Whether you keep the classic recipe or add your own creative twist with berries or alternate crusts, this is a treat you’ll come back to again and again. They store well, freeze beautifully, and work for nearly any occasion—from family dinners to holiday potlucks.

If you haven’t tried them yet, now’s the time to whip up a batch and experience how simple and satisfying a “lazy day” dessert can really be.