
Lemon Bars
A classic dessert featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with a tangy, sweet lemon filling, dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect for a refreshing treat.
Ingredients
- •1 cup all-purpose flour
- •0.3 cup granulated sugar
- •0.5 cup unsalted butter, very cold, cut into small cubes
- •0.3 teaspoon salt
- •0.8 cup granulated sugar
- •2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- •2 large eggs
- •0.3 cup fresh lemon juice
- •1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated
- •2 tablespoon powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the bars out later. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
- 2
For the crust: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the very cold, cubed unsalted butter. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- 3
Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside while you prepare the filling.
- 4
For the lemon filling: In a clean medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. This helps prevent the lemon filling from separating. Add the large eggs, fresh lemon juice, and finely grated lemon zest. Whisk until well combined and smooth.
- 5
Pour the lemon filling evenly over the warm, pre-baked crust. Return the pan to the oven.
- 6
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the center of the filling is set and no longer jiggles when gently shaken. The edges may be slightly golden.
- 7
Remove the pan from the oven and let the lemon bars cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours (or preferably overnight) before cutting. Chilling is crucial for clean, neat slices.
- 8
Once thoroughly chilled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of lemon bars out of the pan onto a cutting board. Dust generously with powdered sugar before cutting into 4 large squares (or 9 smaller squares, if preferred, for more servings). Serve cold.
Chef's Tips
- 💡Ensure your butter for the crust is very cold; this helps create a tender, flaky shortbread.
- 💡Do not overbake the lemon filling. It should still have a slight jiggle in the center when removed from the oven, as it will continue to set as it cools.
- 💡Chilling the bars completely is essential for clean cuts. If you try to cut them warm, the filling will be messy.
- 💡For extra lemon flavor, you can add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest to the filling.
- 💡Use fresh lemons for the best flavor; bottled lemon juice will not yield the same vibrant taste.
Want to make it your own?
Create a personalized version with AI - no account needed
Reviews (0)
You Might Also Like

Classic American Macaroni Salad
Classic American Macaroni Salad

Zesty Summer Tortellini Pasta Salad
A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad featuring tender tortellini, crisp vegetables, fresh mozzarella, and a bright, zesty lemon-herb vinaigrette, perfect for a light summer meal or picnic.

Fragrant Coconut Rice Pudding (Zojirushi Style)
A rich and comforting coconut rice pudding, made effortlessly in your Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker. This sweet dessert features tender short-grain rice infused with fragrant coconut milk and a subtle hint of ground green cardamom, offering a perfectly creamy texture with minimal fuss.

Eastern North Carolina Chopped BBQ
Traditional whole hog or pork shoulder barbecue, chopped, with a thin, tangy vinegar-based sauce. This recipe focuses on a pork shoulder (Boston butt) for home preparation, capturing the authentic flavors of Eastern NC.

Vietnamese-inspired Shrimp & Mango Salad with Peanut
A vibrant and refreshing Vietnamese-inspired salad featuring succulent shrimp, sweet ripe mango, crisp vegetables, and a bright nuoc cham dressing, all topped with crunchy roasted peanuts.

Fungal Explosion Creamy Mushroom Goulash
Indulge in a rich, earthy, and deeply flavorful creamy mushroom goulash, brimming with a delightful variety of fresh fungi. This comforting stew is perfect served over fluffy rice, tender egg noodles, or pasta, offering a cozy and satisfying meal.