Creamy Lemon Squares Recipe for a Zesty Treat

Craving a delightful treat that’s both tangy and sweet? Look no further than these Delicious Tangy Cream Squares! These soft and fluffy cookie bars are elevated with the zesty twist of sour cream, creating a flavor profile that’s both comforting and refreshing. Topped with a colorful icing and whimsical sprinkles, these squares are a feast for the eyes as much as they are for the taste buds.

In my quest for baking perfection without sacrificing flavor, these Tangy Cream Squares emerged as a standout favorite. The secret ingredient? The tangy richness of sour cream, which adds a velvety texture and depth of taste that sets these bars apart from the ordinary sugar cookie. As my grandma always said, a touch of tanginess adds an extra element of fun to any dish.

Whether you’re planning a cozy gathering or simply treating yourself to a homemade delight, these cream squares are sure to impress. Keep them handy in the pantry for a quick indulgence or showcase them at your next celebration with a variety of icing colors and sprinkle combinations. Embrace your creativity and customize these bars to suit any occasion, making each bite a delightful experience to savor.

Quick Benefits

Soft and fluffy base with a tangy kick from sour cream
Luscious and colorful icing adds a burst of flavor
Versatile – perfect for any event with customizable frosting colors and sprinkle choices
Can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or frozen for up to 3 months

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Lemon Squares Recipe for a Zesty Treat Recipe

Unique Flavor Profile: The tangy kick from the sour cream adds a delicious twist to the traditional sugar cookie, making each square a burst of flavor.
Soft and Fluffy Texture: The addition of sour cream results in a soft and fluffy base, creating a delightful melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite.
Colorful and Fun Presentation: The vibrant icing and colorful sprinkles not only add a visually appealing touch but also bring a fun element to the squares, making them perfect for parties or special occasions.
Make-Ahead Convenience: These squares can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months, allowing you to prepare them in advance for any event or craving.
Customizable Treats: With endless possibilities for frosting colors, sprinkle combinations, and flavor variations, you can easily customize these squares to suit different holidays, themes, or personal preferences.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday celebration, holiday gathering, or just a sweet treat for yourself, these squares can be adapted to match the mood and theme of any event.
Easy to Serve and Share: Stack these squares on a multi-level tray with various colored frostings and sprinkle combos for a visually appealing display that will impress guests and make any get-together more festive.
Creative Expression in Baking: Use these squares as a blank canvas to experiment with different frosting designs, flavor enhancements, and decorative touches, allowing you to showcase your baking skills and creativity.

Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Squares Recipe for a Zesty Treat

Cookie Bars

1½ cups white sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon kitchen salt
½ cup room temperature full-fat sour cream
2½ cups regular flour
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 large egg at room temperature
2 sticks (8 ounces) softened unsalted butter

Frosting

1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
1 pinch kitchen salt
¼ cup colorful sprinkles (if you want)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1-2 drops colored food gel or liquid (if you want)
2 cups confectioners sugar

Pro Tips for Creamy Lemon Squares Recipe for a Zesty Treat

Pro Tip 1: To ensure a soft and fluffy base for your Tangy Cream Squares, make sure your butter, sour cream, and egg are all at room temperature before starting the recipe. This will help create a smooth and well-incorporated batter for a delightful texture.

Pro Tip 2: For a tangy kick that stands out, don’t skimp on the sour cream. Its unique flavor is what sets these squares apart from regular sugar cookies. Embrace the tanginess and balance it with the sweetness of the icing and sprinkles for the ultimate flavor combination.

Pro Tip 3: Get creative with your presentation by matching frosting colors and sprinkle combinations to the theme of your event or holiday. Experiment with different flavors like almond or extra lemon to add a unique twist. These Tangy Cream Squares are versatile, so let your imagination run wild and make each batch special and personalized.

How to Make Creamy Lemon Squares Recipe for a Zesty Treat

Step 1: Get Ready

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. Ensure that the butter, egg, and sour cream are at room temperature.

Step 2: Mix Dough

Beat butter and sugar until light and airy. Add sour cream, egg, lemon juice, vanilla, salt, and mix. Gently fold in flour until combined. Press into prepared pan.

Step 3: Oven Time

Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Whip Up Topping

Combine butter and salt until smooth. Mix in vanilla, then gradually add powdered sugar. Add food coloring as desired.

Step 5: Top It Off

Spread the topping evenly on the cooled cookie base. If desired, sprinkle with sprinkles. Allow to set for 30 minutes at room temperature or chill in the fridge for 20 minutes before cutting into 16 squares.

Storage Tips

After making the Delicious Tangy Cream Squares, store them in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To prevent sticking, place a layer of paper between each square. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week or individually wrap them in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, allow refrigerated squares to sit out for 15-20 minutes to reach the best soft texture before enjoying.

For special occasions or gatherings, display the cream squares on a multi-level tray with various colored frostings and sprinkle combinations. Customize the treats to match the theme of the event by changing up frosting colors, sprinkle choices, or adding different flavor extracts. Experiment with swirl patterns, color combinations, or festive decorations to make the squares fit any celebration or holiday. The versatility of these bars allows for endless creative possibilities to suit your preferences and occasions.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you need to make a substitution in this recipe, you can replace the full-fat sour cream with Greek yogurt for a slightly tangy flavor. Greek yogurt has a similar tanginess to sour cream and can provide the same moisture and richness to the bars. You can use the same measurement of Greek yogurt as the sour cream called for in the recipe.

If you don’t have unsalted butter on hand, you can use regular salted butter in the same quantity and reduce the additional salt added to the recipe to adjust for the salt content in the butter. This substitution will still give you a delicious buttery flavor while balancing out the saltiness in the recipe. Remember to taste the batter and adjust the salt if needed.

For the frosting, you can customize the color by using natural food colorings like beet juice or turmeric for a vibrant hue without artificial food coloring. These natural options can provide a colorful and fun icing for the bars while keeping the ingredients more wholesome. Just adjust the quantity of natural coloring to achieve your desired shade.

Serving Suggestions

For a creative serving suggestion, try cutting the sour cream cookie bars into small bite-sized pieces and skewering them with colorful cocktail sticks. Arrange them on a platter in a circular pattern, alternating frosting colors and sprinkle combinations for a vibrant and eye-catching display. This not only makes them easy to pick up and enjoy at parties but also adds a fun and playful touch to your dessert spread.

Another fun idea is to create a DIY sour cream cookie bar station at your next gathering. Set out bowls of different colored frostings, a variety of sprinkles, and additional flavorings like almond or lemon extract. Allow your guests to customize their own squares by spreading on the frosting, sprinkling with their favorite toppings, and adding personal touches. This interactive dessert experience is sure to be a hit and adds a festive and interactive element to any event.

FAQs for Creamy Lemon Squares Recipe for a Zesty Treat

Can I substitute the white sugar with brown sugar?

It’s best to stick with white sugar for this recipe to maintain the desired texture and flavor profile of the tangy cream squares.

How can I tell if the bars are done baking?

The bars are done baking when the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set. You can also perform the toothpick test – insert a toothpick into the center of the bars, and if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they are ready.

Can I omit the sprinkles in this recipe?

Absolutely! The sprinkles are added for a fun and decorative touch, but you can omit them if you prefer or customize with different toppings like chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or chocolate chips.

Is it possible to make these squares ahead of time and freeze them?

Yes, you can wrap each square individually in foil and freeze them for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Delicious Tangy Cream Squares are a delightful twist on traditional sugar cookies that bring a burst of flavor and a soft, fluffy texture to your baking repertoire. The addition of sour cream elevates these bars to a whole new level of deliciousness, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your frosting colors, sprinkle combinations, and flavor variations to tailor these squares to suit different events and celebrations. Whether you’re serving them at a party, a special gathering, or just enjoying a sweet treat at home, these bars are sure to impress with their tangy kick and luscious icing. So go ahead, whip up a batch of Delicious Tangy Cream Squares and indulge in a delightful dessert experience that will leave you craving more!