These delicious Lemony Cookie Bars are lightened up with Greek yogurt! Straight out of The Greek Yogurt Cookbook and one of my most popular recipes.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by REAL® Seal. However, like always, the opinions are entirely my own.
Why Choose Genuine U.S. Dairy Products to Make These Lemony Cookie Bars?
Because real milk, cheese and yogurt offer a unique package of nine essential nutrients that both children and adults need. Consider:
- Milk is the No. 1 food source for three of the four nutrients identified by the federal government as falling short in the diets of both children and adults. These are calcium, potassium and vitamin D.
- Experts agree that dairy foods deserve a special place in the diets of children. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, several nutrients critical for growth are lacking in the diets of children and adolescents. These include calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin A. Dairy foods provide all of these.
- The shortfall in these nutrients is a significant public health concern. That’s why the government encourages adults to consume three servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy products daily and children to consume two.
- Dairy foods play a major role in bone health. Inadequate calcium and dairy food consumption among children results in a higher risk of osteoporosis and life-threatening fractures later in life.
- Eating the recommended servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods can lower blood pressure in adults. Studies also associate consuming low-fat and fat-free dairy foods with lower risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as osteoporosis.
- By lowering the risk of these chronic diseases, consuming dairy foods may also help reduce health care costs.
Why You Should Make These Lemony Cookie Bars
One obstacle to consuming more dairy foods, especially among children, is lactose intolerance. For these individuals, most experts recommend alternatives from within the dairy food group, such as yogurt or lactose-free milk, over non-dairy substitutes.
That allows sufficient intake of calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients to avoid problems with bone health.
These lemony cookie bars are lightened up but every bit as delicious as traditional lemon bars. These bars are so easy to make and will be ready in 45 minutes.
If you like this lemony cookie bars recipe, you can find many other delicious ones in The Greek Yogurt Cookbook. It's a great resource for those looking to lighten up their favorite recipes!
Related Recipes
Low Carb Lemon Blueberry Cake from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Keto Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookies from All Day I Dream About Food
Sugar Free No Bake Lemon Mousse Pie from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Lemon Brownies from A View From Great Island
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Lemony Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cups all-purpose flour divided use, ½ + ¼
- ⅚ cups powdered sugar divided use, ⅓ + ½
- ¾ teaspoon salt divided use
- ¾ cup butter cold and sliced in pieces
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- Extra powdered sugar for sprinkling
- organic blueberries for topping optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9" × 13" baking dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix ½ cups flour, 1⁄3 cup powdered sugar, and 1⁄2 teaspoon salt. Add sliced butter and mix well until crumbly. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and pat down to form crust. Bake for 12–14 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
- While the crust is baking, mix 1⁄4 cup flour, ½ cups powdered sugar, 1⁄4 teaspoon salt, eggs, lemon juice, yogurt, baking powder, and lemon zest in a large bowl with a mixer. Beat until smooth. Pour the lemon mixture on top of the hot cookie crust and return to oven. Bake for 35 minutes, until the topping is set and edges are light brown. Cool thoroughly in the pan. Sprinkle with extra powdered sugar, if desired, before serving. To store, cover and refrigerate for 3–5 days.
Natasha
We love these Lemony Cookie Bars! They taste like the traditional delicious lemon bars but they are way healthier and lighter! My family enjoyed them a lot, these bars are super good!
Natasha
We love these Lemony Cookie Bars! They taste like the traditional delicious lemon bars but they are way healthier and lighter! My family enjoyed them a lot!
Shauna
Made these lemon cookie bars as an afternoon treat now that my kids are out of school and everybody loved them! I'm going to make another batch this weekend to share with camp counselors next week. 🙂
Lauren Kelly
I agree, these make the perfect gift!! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Sha
These are incredibly delicious and decadent! Certified crowd favorite! Keeping this recipe!
Lauren Kelly
Yay!! Love that!
Abeer
I love Greek yogurt, especially in desserts. It added the perfect tanginess and creaminess in these bars. So tasty that I can't wait to make them again for a soiree next weekend.
Lauren Kelly
So happy you loved them too Abeer!
katerina @ diethood.com
WOW! These Lemony Cookie bars are SO dreamy! I would love one right now!
Lauren Kelly
Thanks so much!
mel
I love a good lemon cookie that isnt too sweet or too tart! this is the perfect mixture!
Lauren Kelly
So happy you liked them!
Toni
These bars are so good! Everyone at my house was impressed with these bars!
Lauren Kelly
Yay! Thanks Toni!
Betsy
Yum!! These are so good! So creamy, bright, tangy, delicious! Love these!
Beth
These lemon bars are so addicting and very delicious! The family absolutely devoured these tasty bars! Definitely one of our new favorites! Can't wait to make this again!
Kristyn
We have been making these all summer long! They are so smooth & creamy & the blueberry on top is the perfect addition!
Natasha
Love that these are so creamy and easy to make! These bars were a hit with my family!
Sonali-+The+Foodie+Physician
I love lemony desserts and these bars look amazing!!