1. Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your bars bake evenly and come out perfectly set.

2. Prepare the Crust

• Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Stir until well combined.
• Add the Butter: Add the softened butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, blend the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press the Crust: Pour the crust mixture into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish. Use the back of a measuring cup to press it down firmly and evenly. This creates a solid base for your bars.

3. Bake the Crust

• Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. This step ensures that the crust is crispy and holds up under the creamy filling.

4. Prepare the Filling

• Beat the Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat 8 oz of softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
• Add Sugar and Eggs: Gradually add 1 cup of granulated sugar and beat until combined. Add in the 2 large eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Add Zest and Juice: Stir in the zest of 1 lemon, ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until everything is well incorporated and smooth.

5. Combine Filling and Crust

• Pour the Filling: Once the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the lemon cream cheese filling over the hot crust. Spread it out evenly with a spatula.

6. Bake the Bars

• Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and has a slight jiggle in the center. Keep an eye on it; you want it to be firm but not overcooked.

7. Cool and Chill

• After baking, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Then, transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight if you can wait!). This chilling time helps the bars firm up for easy slicing.

8. Slice and Serve

• Once chilled, remove the bars from the fridge. Using a sharp knife, slice them into squares or rectangles, dust with powdered sugar, and garnish with lemon slices or zest if desired.