A buttery digestive base, a wonderfully rich yogurt cheesecake filling and a topping of zingy, mouthwatering lemony freshness - you're going to love these lemon yogurt cheesecake bars!
Cheesecake is a big favourite of mine, and the addition of a thick set yogurt adds a touch of tang and dreamy creaminess. It's thick, creamy, delicious and gloriously silky smooth.
These lemon curd yogurt cheesecake bars would make the perfect dessert for a summer picnic.
Here's the full recipe, complete with step-by-step photos. And if you love zingy lemon flavour, be sure to check out my incredible lemon drizzle cake next!
Ingredients
For the base
- 250 g (18 sheets) digestive biscuits (graham crackers)
- 100 g (7 tbsp) slightly salted butter melted
For the cheesecake filling
- 70 g (6 tbsp) thick set yogurt
- 800 g (1.7 lb) full fat cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100 g (¾ cup) icing sugar (powdered sugar)
For the lemon curd (or a store bought jar)
- 4 unwaxed lemons (or 2 large) rind and juice
- 200 g (1 cup + 2 tbsp) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 100 g (7 tbsp) slightly salted butter
- 3 medium free range eggs
- 1 medium free range egg yolks
Instructions
To make the base
Smash the digestive biscuits to a fine crumb and combine with the melted butter. Tip them into your square, 25cm (10 inch) square loose-bottomed straight-sided tin.
Press down firmly to create an even base, then place in the fridge to chill.
To make the filling
In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, yogurt and vanilla.
Whisk until thick.
Add the sugar and whisk again.
Tip the filling into the tin.
Level off and return the tin to the fridge.
To make the lemon curd
(If you’re using a jar of curd, skip to 'To bring together')
Place the lemon juice, lemon rind, butter and sugar into a bowl.
Heat gently over a pan of simmering water until the butter has melted.
Add the room temperature eggs and whisk until fully combined.
Continue to heat over the pan, stirring occasionally until it has thickened enough to leave a trail if you run your finger over the back of the spoon.
Leave to cool completely. It will thicken further.
To bring together
Spoon the curd into the tin.
Level off and return to the fridge to firm up overnight.
Cut into bars to serve.
Is cheesecake one of your favourite desserts? Which flavours are your favourite?
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Lemon Curd Yogurt Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the base
- 250 g (18 sheets) digestive biscuits (graham crackers)
- 100 g (7 tbsp) slightly salted butter melted
For the cheesecake filling
- 70 g (6 tbsp) thick set yogurt
- 800 g (1.7 lb) full fat cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100 g (¾ cup) icing sugar (powdered sugar)
For the lemon curd (or a store bought jar)
- 4 unwaxed lemons (or 2 large) rind and juice
- 200 g (1 cup + 2 tbsp) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 100 g (7 tbsp) slightly salted butter
- 3 medium free range eggs
- 1 medium free range egg yolks
Instructions
To make the base
- Smash the digestive biscuits to a fine crumb.
- Tip them into your square, loose-bottomed, 25cm/10 inch straight-sided tin.
- Add the melted butter and mix until combined.
- Press down firmly to create an even base, then place in the fridge to chill.
To make the filling
- In a bowl, whisk the cream cheese, yogurt and vanilla until thick.
- Add the sugar and whisk again.
- Tip the filling into the tin. Level off and return the tin to the fridge.
To make the lemon curd (If you’re using a jar of curd, skip to 'To bring together')
- Place the lemon juice, lemon rind, butter and sugar into a bowl and heat gently over a pan of simmering water until the butter has melted.
- Add the room temperature eggs and whisk until fully combined.
- Continue to heat over the pan, stirring occasionally until it has thickened enough to leave a trail if you run your finger over the back of the spoon.
- Leave to cool completely. It will thicken further.
To bring together
- Spoon the curd into the tin, level off and return to the fridge to firm up overnight.
- Cut into bars to serve.
Video
Nutrition
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More great cheesecake recipes to try
If you loved this lemon curd yogurt cheesecake bars recipe, why not take a look at my other cheesecake recipes for inspiration?
Here are some of my favourites.
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Cardiff Mummy Says - Cathryn says
Your photos are always so beautiful! My husband loves lemon flavour desserts - he would absolutely love this recipe!
Emily Leary says
Thank you so much! I hope that your husband enjoys these delicious cheesecake bars if you give them a go!
Ger ( It's Me & Ethan ) says
Oh this looks Devine ! I'd love to be able to do this but I really am useless when it comes to baking . However I do have a great friend who adores this kind of thing and I'm her taster ,guess who is getting this emailed to her
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This isn't a difficult recipe to follow but if you have a friend who is more than happy for you to be her taster, then why not! Enjoy!
Beth @ BethinaBox.com says
Oh wow! This looks amazing, although I'm not sure I like you showing me this the day before I start a new healthy eating regime! Haha!
Emily Leary says
A little treat now and again? These cheesecake bars are so delicious! :)
Wendy says
YUM!! I am obsessed with cheesecake and love making them. Will give these a go, fab recipe xx
Emily Leary says
Thank you! We love cheesecake in our house and this recipe is so delicious - enjoy!
Meghna Dixit says
Wow! What delicious recipes. Love the pictures too. Thank you
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I hope that you've been inspired to give this recipe a go!
Gladys Parker says
Oh how wonderful that looks. It is as though it is saying "reach through your screen and take a bite" but, a bite won't be enough. I love lemon and I can devour cheesecake so this is made for me. I already pinned it because I know eventually I'll be having one.
Emily Leary says
Thank you :) You're right, just one bite wouldn't be enough! Enjoy!
Sophia Ford says
This looks delicious and like something even I could master! Definitely going to give these a try as lemon cheesecakes are pretty much my favourite when it comes to cheesecakes.
Emily Leary says
Thank you. The ingredients and the addition of this delicious yogurt make for a mouthwatering cheesecake! Let me know what you think!
Jenne says
Oh wow, this looks delightful! I love it when people add lemon zest to a recipe - too often I don't see people using it and it adds such a nice touch. This looks like a perfect dessert for a summer BBQ!
Emily Leary says
Thank you! This recipe is perfect for any time of the year and even though there is still snow on the ground here I can just picture enjoying these cheesecake bars outside on a beautiful sunny day!
Kansas Bonanno says
man this looks amazing, i'm a sucker for anything cheesecake. This will be a great treat for my kiddos.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! We love lemons, cheesecake and yogurt in our house so this recipe is a perfect combination of ingredients to make a delicious dessert. I'm sure your kids (and you!) will love it!
Lyosha says
I love cheesecakes. probably the best cakes ever! your version looks delicious!
Emily Leary says
I love cheesecake too! I hope that you decide to give this recipe a try - these lemon curd yogurt cheesecake bars are delicious!
Corina says
This looks absolutely delicious! The pics are great! Thank you for sharing, I'm going to try them for sure!
Emily Leary says
That's great! I'm so pleased to hear that you're going to make them - Enjoy!