Description
Lemon bars are those bright, tangy-sweet dessert squares with a soft, silky lemon curd layer baked right on top of a buttery shortbread crust. They’re sunshine in bar form—zippy, smooth, and balanced with just enough sweetness to make your mouth pucker and smile at the same time. These are not the shy, overly sweet kind. These bars bring bold lemon flavor, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and that iconic powdered sugar snowfall on top. Perfect for bake sales, picnics, family dinners, or, let’s be honest, eating straight out of the pan.
Ingredients
For the shortbread crust:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
½ cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
For the lemon filling:
1½ cups granulated sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
⅔ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
Zest of 2 lemons
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang so you can lift the bars out later.
Make the crust: In a medium bowl, stir together melted butter, sugar, flour, and salt until it forms a soft dough. Press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan—use your hands or the bottom of a flat cup to get it smooth and even.
Bake the crust: Pop it in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until it’s just starting to turn golden around the edges. Remove and set aside while you prep the filling.
Whisk the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and flour. Add the eggs, lemon juice, and zest, and whisk until smooth. It should be pale yellow and glossy—no lumps allowed.
Bake again: Pour the filling over the warm crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20–22 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer jiggles.
Cool and chill: Let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better). This helps the filling set and makes them easier to slice.
Dust and slice: Just before serving, dust generously with powdered sugar. Slice into neat squares or rectangles, and prepare to wow your tastebuds.
Notes
Serve chilled with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprig of mint, or a few fresh berries on the side. These make a stellar addition to any dessert table, picnic basket, or 3 p.m. kitchen raid. Pro tip: run your knife under hot water and wipe it clean between cuts for those perfectly crisp edges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~210 kcal per bar
- Fat: ~9g
- Carbohydrates: ~30g
- Protein: ~2g