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–+ servings

Lemon Bars

Lemon Bars are a bright and tangy dessert with a buttery shortbread crust and a luscious lemon filling. The perfect balance of sweet and tart, these bars are light, refreshing, and ideal for spring and summer gatherings. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, they make an elegant treat for tea time, parties, or as a simple make-ahead dessert that always impresses. Their chewy crust and silky citrus topping create a delightful contrast in every bite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 16
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
 
 

  • Crust:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp tsp salt
  • Filling:
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice about 3–4 lemons
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • Topping:
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
  2. Make the crust: In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in flour and salt until combined. Press dough evenly into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake crust for 18–20 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove and let cool slightly.
  4. Make the filling: In another bowl, whisk together sugar and flour. Add eggs, lemon juice, and zest, whisking until smooth.
  5. Pour filling over the warm crust. Bake for 20–22 minutes until the center is set.
  6. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  7. Dust with powdered sugar before slicing into squares.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 3gFat: 9g

Notes

For extra tang, add a little more lemon zest to the filling.
Bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Use parchment with overhanging edges to easily lift the bars out before cutting.

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