Description
These Classic Lemon Bars are the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, with a buttery shortbread crust and a smooth, zesty lemon filling. They’re bright, refreshing, and guaranteed to impress at any gathering or as a simple afternoon treat.
Ingredients
**For the Crust:**
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
**For the Lemon Filling:**
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
1 tbsp lemon zest
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add flour and salt, mixing until dough forms.
4. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 18–20 minutes, until lightly golden.
5. While the crust bakes, whisk together eggs, sugar, flour, lemon juice, and zest in a large bowl until smooth.
6. Pour the lemon mixture over the warm crust and return to the oven.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the filling is set and slightly golden around the edges.
8. Let cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
9. Dust generously with powdered sugar before slicing into bars.
Notes
For extra tang, add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice or a pinch of citric acid.
Use room-temperature eggs for a smoother filling.
Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months — they taste amazing chilled.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg