Simple Classic Lemon Bars
These Simple Classic Lemon Bars are one of those desserts I never get tired of. Bright and creamy lemon filling on top of a buttery shortbread crust, what more do you need? They’re fuss-free, wildly nostalgic, and always the first thing to vanish at any party.
Servings: 24
Calories: 257kcal
Ingredients
For the Crust
- ½ cup sugar granulated
- ½ pound butter unsalted, at room temperature (2 sticks)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For the Filling
- 6 large eggs at room temperature
- 3 cups sugar granulated
- 2 tablespoon lemon zest grated
- 1 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Prepare a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, make sure the parchment paper is long enough to come over the sides, this will make it easy to pull out the bars.
- In the bowl of your mixer add sugar and butter and beat using the paddle attachment until light. Add flour and salt and mix until the dough starts forming into a ball. It will still crumble easily.
- Dump the crumbled up crust dough into the prepared baking dish and flatten using your floured hands, sometimes I use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to help flatten it. Transfer the crust to the oven and bake it for 20 minutes, until very lightly browned, you'll start seeing the edges brown. Let it cool and leave the oven on.
- Whisk together all the filling ingredients. Pour over the cooled crust.
- Transfer the baking pan back to the oven and bake for another 30 to 35 minutes or until the filling is set. Let it cool at room temperature. Cut into triangles or squares and dust with powdered sugar.
Video
Notes
- Use fresh lemons: Freshly squeezed juice and real lemon zest make all the difference in flavor, bottled lemon juice just doesn’t hit the same.
- Room temperature ingredients: Bring your butter and eggs to room temperature before starting for the best texture in both the crust and the filling.
- Parchment paper is your friend: Line your pan with parchment and leave a good overhang to lift the bars out easily after baking, it makes slicing and serving so much simpler.
- Cool completely before slicing: Let the bars cool fully at room temperature (or chill them for even cleaner cuts). Wipe your knife between slices for those perfect bakery-style edges.
- Freezer-friendly: These bars freeze beautifully! Just be sure to wait and dust with powdered sugar until after they thaw for that pretty fresh look.
Nutrition
Serving: 1triangle | Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 32mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
