Description
Tangy and buttery, these zesty lemon bars are a perfect balance of a firm, crumbly crust and a glossy, sweet-sour filling. Ideal for any occasion, they are baked to golden perfection and simple to make.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsalted butter (cold)
¼ tsp salt
½ cup brown sugar
4 large egg yolks (room temperature)
½ cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp lemon zest
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp milk
Instructions
Cold butter into small cubes. Combine 1 cup flour, ½ cup cold butter, and ¼ tsp salt in a bowl.
Work the mixture with your palms until it forms a thick paste.
Press the crust mixture evenly into an 8×8-inch baking pan.
Chill the crust for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the crust for 18 minutes. Let it cool slightly.
Increase the oven temperature to 375°F. Whisk 4 egg yolks with ¾ cup sugar until creamy.
Add ½ cup fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp lemon zest to the mixture.
Pour the lemon filling over the baked crust and spread evenly.
Bake for 12–14 minutes until the filling jiggles slightly and is just set.
Allow to cool, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 3–4 hours before cutting.
Cut into 16 bars and store in an airtight container.
Notes
For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour. Coconut oil can be used in place of butter. Lactose-free milk is a suitable substitute for dairy milk. Chill fully before cutting to avoid a messy texture. Tap the pan gently after baking to prevent filling cracks.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg