Easy Lemon Bars Recipe
Whether you’re looking for a delicious dessert to bring to a potluck or simply want to enjoy a sweet treat at home, lemon bars are the perfect solution. And if this is your first time making the bars, you will love the sweet and tart combo–it’s the perfect balance.
Classic Lemon Bars With A Buttery Shortbread Crust
But with so many recipes out there, how do you know which one will give you the best results? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. This recipe for lemon bars is foolproof and guaranteed to please everyone who tries them. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
What We Love About Lemon Bars
- Layers of goodness. This foolproof lemon bar recipe features a delightful shortbread crust, creamy center, and crunchy confectioner’s sugar top.
- So refreshing. Its refreshing lemon flavor makes it a classic favorite.
- Perfect for any occasion. The recipe consistently delivers delicious results, setting it apart from other recipes.
These lemon crinkle cookies from Kelsey over at Dance Around the Kitchen are a sweet treat to serve with lemon bars.
What Ingredients Do I Need For Homemade Lemon Bars?
Shortbread Crust Ingredients
- Butter (softened)
- Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
Lemon Filling Ingredients
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Lemon juice or regular lemons
- Lemon zest (optional)
- All-purpose flour
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
How To Make The Easy Lemon Bars Recipe
Shortbread Crust
For the shortbread crust, cream the softened butter and sugar in a medium bowl. Next, add the flour and salt and mix.
Press the mixture into the bottom of a 13″ x 9″ prepared pan. The mixture might be a little crumbly, but that’s ok. It will be fine once you press it into the baking dish.
Chill for 15 minutes and then bake for 15 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
TIP: I lined the dish with parchment paper. Once it’s baked and cooled, it will be easier to remove and cut it.
TIP: Be sure to spray the parchment paper with a non-stick spray or grease it with butter.
Lemon Layer
- For the lemon filling, mix the eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and flour in a large bowl.
- Pour it over the baked shortbread crust.
If you want to use some lemon zest, add it when you add the juice. I would add about one tablespoon of zest. It will add the perfect combination of sweet and tart.
3. Bake the lemon bars for approximately 30-35 minutes or until the lemon curd filling doesn’t wiggle anymore.
4. Cool, cut, and sprinkle with powdered sugar on top of the bars.
If you use parchment paper, you can lift the cooled bars right out of the dish, set them on a cutting board, and cut them easily after they cool. You can use a pizza cutter or a knife to cut the bars.
A lot of people like to use Meyer lemons in this recipe because they are a bit sweeter. Meyer lemons are a cross between a mandarin orange and a regular lemon and have darker skin. Meyer lemons go great in a lot of lemon desserts. So, if you happen to see some, give them a try.
Storage
You can store your lemon bars in an airtight container or cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate them.
Other Delicious Desserts:
- Chocolate chip cake with brown sugar is a wonderful dessert for potlucks, parties, and after-dinner desserts.
- M&M Cookie bars are a fun treat to share. They are colorful and everyone loves M&M’s. They are a fun bar to take alongside your lemon dessert recipe to a potluck.
- Double chocolate bars are so decadent and delicious, and they are made with sweetened condensed milk.
- Hello Dolly bars is another recipe made with sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and pecans.
- Eggnog pie is a wonderful recipe for the holidays. It’s easy to make, and everyone will love it.
How To Make Lemon Bars
Whether you’re in charge of bringing dessert to the bake sales or just want a sweet treat for yourself, these traditional lemon bars filled with tart lemon filling are sure to please. And with this foolproof recipe, you can’t go wrong! So what are you waiting for? Get started baking today!
How To Make The Best Lemon Bars
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 2 sticks butter softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Lemon Filling
- 6 eggs
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 cup of lemon juice
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350-degrees and grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish.
Shortbread Crust
- Cream the butter and sugar together.
- Add the flour and salt and mix.
- Press into the bottom of the pan.
- Chill for 15 minutes.
- Bake crust for 15 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden brown.
Lemon Filling
- Add six eggs to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the sugar and lemon juice and mix together.
- Add the flour a little bit at a time and mix.
- Pour over shortbread crust and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until lemon filling it set.
- Cool for at least 30-45 minutes.
- Cut with a sharp knife and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Video
Notes
- Store the lemon squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Using parchment paper (greased) inside of the casserole dish makes it easier to take the lemon bars out and cut them after they cool.
- You can use a knife or a pizza cutter to cut the lemon bars.
- If you plan to use fresh lemons, get at least six to make a cup of lemon juice.
