Cream Cheese Lemon Bars

1 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.

2 . Stage

Mix 3 tablespoons sugar with 1/4 of the lemon zest; set aside.

3 . Stage

Unroll one piece of crescent dough and press in the bottom of the prepared dish, stretching dough to the edges.

4 . Stage

Mix lemon juice and remaining lemon zest in a large bowl. Add cream cheese and 1/2 cup white sugar; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Spread over the crescent dough in the pan.

5 . Stage

Unroll the second piece of crescent dough and layer over the cream cheese mixture, gently stretching dough to the edges. Brush melted butter on top and sprinkle with reserved sugar-lemon zest mixture.

6 . Stage

Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

7 . Stage

Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Lift lemon bars from the baking dish using the foil; transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 24 squares, leaving bars on the foil. Lift the foil and transfer the bars back into the baking dish. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.