Description
Bright and tangy lemon bars with a smooth lemon filling atop a buttery, crumbly shortbread crust, perfect as a refreshing dessert or snack.
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for crust)
2 cups all-purpose flour (for crust)
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (for filling)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for filling)
2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
Zest of 2 lemons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Beat softened butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add 2 cups flour and salt, mixing until soft dough forms. Press dough evenly into bottom of pan.
- Bake crust for 18-20 minutes, until lightly golden at edges. Remove from oven but keep oven on.
- Whisk together eggs, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup flour, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and combined.
- Pour lemon filling over hot crust and return pan to oven. Bake 20-25 minutes until filling is set and no longer jiggly.
- Cool bars completely in pan on wire rack, then refrigerate at least 2 hours to fully set.
- Before serving, dust bars with powdered sugar if desired. Cut into 12 bars.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour in the crust with a gluten-free flour blend.
Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days; avoid freezing for best texture.
Serve chilled or let sit at room temperature 10-15 minutes for a softer bite.
Optional: Add fresh thyme or rosemary to the crust for a subtle herbal note or swap some lemon juice with lime juice for a citrus twist.
If no parchment paper, grease pan well or use non-stick spray for easier removal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
