Description
Buttery crust meets zesty lemon filling in these perfectly balanced American lemon bars. Crisp, sweet-tart, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (4 lemons)
1 1/4 cups fine-grain sugar
4 large eggs (room temperature)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened), for filling
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut chilled butter into flour mixture until crumbly. Add egg whites, mixing until clumps form. Press dough into a 13×9-inch pan to 1/4-inch thickness. Chill 15 minutes.
Bake crust 15 minutes at 350°F until golden. In a bowl, whisk eggs, fine sugar, lemon juice, and zest. Add softened butter and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Pour over warm crust.
Bake filling 10 minutes at 325°F until set. Cool completely in refrigerator before slicing. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and cut into 16 bars.
Notes
Use almond flour or coconut flour for dietary alternatives. Substitute coconut oil for butter if needed. Chill crust before baking for crisp texture. Fresh lemon juice is essential for brightness. Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 60mg